To determine reference values for plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in falcons and to investigate a possible dietary impact, 29 falcons were randomly selected from a collection of 500 captive breeding falcons fed with 4-week-old chicks. Blood samples collected from each falcon were analyzed for plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Reference values were 16.7–46.1 mg/L with a mean plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration of 27.5 ± 8.7 mg/L. A group of 5 gyr-saker falcon hybrids (Falco rusticolus × Falco cherrug) were fed 1-day-old chicks for 4 weeks; the resultant mean plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration was 34.9 ± 5.6 mg/L. When the diet was changed to turkey breast meat for 4 weeks, the mean plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration decreased significantly to 13.1 ± 2.6 mg/L. Results appeared to support the influence of diet on plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in falcons.

To objectively evaluate the collateral damage associated with radiosurgical and carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser devices, a comparative surgical and histologic study was undertaken in white Carneau pigeons (Columba livia). Ten pigeons were anesthetized, and a series of 3 skin incisions were made in the pectoral region by using a 4.0-MHz radiosurgical unit, a CO₂ laser, and a scalpel blade (control). A total of 90 skin incisions were microscopically evaluated, and their associated mechanical- and thermal-induced tissue lesions were measured in micrometers. Scalpel incisions invariably resulted in hemorrhage, whereas all laser and radiosurgical skin incisions were essentially bloodless. Scalpel blade incisions were least traumatic (mean [SD] 18 ± 15 µm) followed by incisions created with radiosurgery (mean [SD] 94 ± 60 µm) and CO₂ laser (mean [SD] 150 ± 64 µm). Radiosurgery was significantly less traumatic than CO₂ laser (P  =  .003). Radiosurgery appears to offer significant benefits over CO₂ laser for avian surgery.

Blood samples were collected from 20 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) and were divided into tubes that contained dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K₂EDTA) and lithium heparin. Complete blood cell counts were determined in each sample within 2 hours of collection. The level of agreement in results was moderate for plasma protein, packed cell volume (PCV), and leukocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts between the anticoagulants. Plasma protein and PCV values were significantly lower in samples with lithium heparin than in those with K₂EDTA, whereas lymphocyte numbers were significantly higher in lithium heparin samples than in K₂EDTA samples. The level of agreement was good for the other cell types (heterophils, eosinophils, and basophils) when comparing the different anticoagulants. The poor level of agreement between anticoagulants with the increase in thrombocyte clumping in lithium heparin samples indicates that the use of lithium heparin as anticoagulant may affect thrombocyte count. No negative effects on morphology and staining of blood cells were apparent in smears from heparin samples compared with K₂EDTA samples. Within the different values compared, the limits of agreement are small enough to be confident that lithium heparin can be used for routine CBC counts in a clinical setting. The use of the same anticoagulant should be recommended to follow trends within the same patient, especially when considering plasma protein concentration, PCV, and lymphocyte count.

The St Vincent Amazon parrot (Amazona guildingii), listed as a CITES appendix I animal, is endemic only to the mainland of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Lesser Antilles. A health assessment that included physical examination, hematology, blood parasite evaluation, plasma biochemical analysis, plasma protein electrophoresis, level of exposure to selected infectious agents, and fecal parasites was performed in July 2002 on 37 (51%) of the parrots in the captive population in SVG. Clinical abnormalities noted in the 37 parrots included poor feathers, lipomas, abnormal choanal papillae, obesity, leg ulcers, respiratory abnormalities, cardiac abnormalities, seizure activity, old fractures, missing digits, skin disease associated with mites (Knemidokoptes species), oral granuloma, and a thin, friable beak. Only 7 of the birds were clinically normal on physical examination. Results of hematologic testing, plasma biochemical analysis, and plasma electrophoresis were not statistically different between female and male parrots. No blood parasites were found in any of the 32 samples examined. None of the 36 parrots evaluated had antibodies to the 12 infectious agents tested. Of the 21 fecal samples available, Capillaria species was detected in 1 bird. Findings from this study, in addition to nutritional, genetic, and husbandry evaluations, have been used to make recommendations to the Forestry Department of SVG for improvements in husbandry and veterinary care of this ex situ population.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of a transcutaneously administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (lecirelin) on the reproductive activity of the canary (Serinus canaria). Two groups of 20 pairs of canaries were treated with increasing concentrations of lecirelin delivered in a cream vehicle; one group was exposed to a natural photoperiod, and the other group received additional photostimulation. Two groups of 10 pairs of canaries served as controls; one group was exposed to an artificially lengthened photoperiod, and the other group was maintained under a natural photoperiod and treated with a nonmedicated cream vehicle. In all canaries treated with lecirelin, the onset of reproductive activity occurred significantly earlier than in either control group.

A 1.5-year-old male Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) presented to Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with a 4-month history of lethargy and weakness. Hematologic and radiographic diagnostic testing revealed profound leukocytosis and coelomic and pulmonary granulomatous masses of unknown origin. The bird died during laparoscopic evaluation under general anesthesia. Necropsy revealed multiple pulmonary and hepatic soft-tissue nodules and an intracoelomic mass over the left kidney communicating with external subcutaneous masses and a pericloacal mass of similar gross appearance. Histopathologic findings identified a severe, disseminated, inflammatory infiltration of multiple tissues and multiple granulomas containing bizarre multinucleated cells. No causative agent of this granulomatous disease was identified. To our knowledge, this is the first report of systemic atypical granulomatous disease in Moluccan cockatoo. Traditional causes of granulomatous disease include mycotic disease, bacterial (ie, Mycobacterium) disease, and neoplasia. Attempts to identify an causative agent or neoplasia were unsuccessful. A retrospective review of pathology records revealed 2 additional cases with identical pathologic lesions. All 3 cases occurred in young Moluccan cockatoos and are assumed to be a disease of unknown origin that could be unique to this species.

A 4-year-old female blue-headed pionus parrot (Pionus menstruus rubrigularis) presented repeatedly for acute smoke inhalation. The protracted clinical course and secondary respiratory infections with multiple pathogens represented characteristic sequelae to smoke inhalation and toxicosis seen in other species, but these have not been previously reported in birds.

Eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) exhibit a form of reversed sexual dichromatism (plumage coloration) not found in other birds. The females are a striking vermilion and blue, whereas the males are shiny green. Here, I summarize the major findings of a 10-year research program conducted on a wild population of eclectus parrots on Cape York Peninsula, Australia, aimed primarily at understanding the ecologic and evolutionary forces behind their unique coloration. Unlike most other parrots, eclectus parrots breed polyandrously (where multiple males mate with 1 female) and polygynandrously (where both sexes have multiple sexual partners). Their mating system appears to be driven by a shortage of nest hollows. Females with good nest sites are rare, and this forces males to share females. The red plumage of females acts as a signal of nest hollow ownership, whereas the green of males allows them to be camouflaged while foraging to feed the females and chicks. Eclectus parrots can also control the sex of their offspring, although the reasons for this are not yet clear.

West Nile virus causes sporadic disease in the Eastern hemisphere that is often asymptomatic or mild, whereas in the Western hemisphere, West Nile virus has been associated with illness and profound mortality in many avian species. West Nile virus might have been transported to North America by an infected mosquito or the virus could have entered within a vertebrate host like a bird. Although the most important method of West Nile virus transmission is by Culex species mosquitoes, additional modes of transmission have been identified. West Nile virus has been isolated from almost 300 species of Western birds. The long-term effects on common species such as corvids, sparrows, grackles, finches, hawks, and robins are still being debated. However the potential effect of West Nile virus on small populations or species with limited geographic distribution, such as Hawaiian avifauna, could be much more catastrophic.

The author describes her fieldwork studying a population of Mackinders eagle owls that live adjacent to small-scale farms in rural Kenya. Her study investigated the effects of farming practices on the diet and breeding ecology of the owls. She documented local people's attitudes toward owls since owls are taboo throughout Africa. She describes a typical day in the field, the community aspect of her project, her unique experiences studying owls in Kenya, and promotion of owl tourism.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, when it comes to examining newly purchased birds, what you, the veterinarian, advise a bird owner and how you assess a new bird's health can make or break the relationship this owner forms with his or her new pet. Recommendations you make at that first visit can have a lasting impact on the habits this owner establishes when it comes to feeding, behavior, and basic care. Thus, it is critical during this examination that you choose the words you use and the tests you perform wisely. Maximizing the value of this time with an owner is crucial. Therefore, it behooves all veterinarians who see birds to periodically review the advice they give new bird owners to ensure that it is up-to-date, concise, and practical.

To help reach this goal, I have invited a group of avian veterinarians who regularly see new birds to explain the recommendations they make at this first visit. The veterinarians are Jerry LaBonde, MS, DVM, Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital, Homestead, CO, USA; Frank Lavac, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital, Santa Monica, CA, USA; Brian Loudis, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), All Pets Animal Hospital, Encinitas, CA, USA; Susan Sattler-Augustin, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), Bayonet Point Animal Clinic, Port Richey, FL, USA; Tracey Ritzman, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), Palm Glen Animal Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA; and Laura Wade, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), Broadway Veterinary Clinic, Lancaster, NY, USA. I believe that their combined expertise in advising and guiding new bird owners will help both experienced avian practitioners and those just starting to see birds in practice. I thank them all for their participation.