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1 December 2018 Bilateral Pentadactyly in an Immature Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba)
Andrea Dogliero, Giuseppe Quaranta, Mitzy Mauthe von Degerfeld
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Abstract

An immature Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba) that presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center was observed to have bilateral pentadactyly on examination. The supernumerary digits did not appear to cause discomfort for the bird, and no motor deficits were apparent. The skin and nails of the digits appeared normal. Radiographically, the extra digits appeared to be composed of two phalanges. The male swift was housed and fed an insectivore diet until it was fully fledged and demonstrated good flying ability. After 16 days of hospitalization, hand-feeding, and flight training, the bird was released to the wild. To our knowledge, this is the first case described of bilateral pentadactyly in an Alpine swift.

© 2018 by the Association of Avian Veterinarians
Andrea Dogliero, Giuseppe Quaranta, and Mitzy Mauthe von Degerfeld "Bilateral Pentadactyly in an Immature Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba)," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 32(4), 342-344, (1 December 2018). https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-279
Published: 1 December 2018
KEYWORDS
Alpine swift
bilateral pentadactyly
congenital disorders
Tachymarptis melba
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