Which two conditions can help limit stress in a psittacine bird when restraint is necessary?

The chosen answer highlights two effective strategies that can be used to minimize stress in psittacine birds during periods of restraint. Covering the bird's head with a towel serves to limit its vision, which can significantly reduce anxiety. Birds are often more comfortable when they have their vision obscured in stressful situations, as this can help avoid overstimulation and feelings of vulnerability.

Allowing the bird to grasp an item with its feet provides a form of comfort and security. Engaging in a natural behavior, like holding a familiar object, can distract the bird and create a sense of stability in an otherwise stressful situation. This combination of visual limitation and the opportunity to interact with an object can make a restraint procedure less threatening for psittacine birds, resulting in a calmer experience for both the bird and the veterinary staff.

The other options may include elements that do not effectively reduce overall stress or may even exacerbate it, making the selected strategies particularly beneficial in this context.