Species Of Psittaciformes Research Articles

Topografia e morfologia das vísceras do periquito-australiano (Melopsittacus undulatus, Shaw 1805)

The aim of this research was to study the topography and morphology of Australian parakeet (Melopsittacus undulatus) viscera. Ten Australian parakeet were used (5 males and 5 females). The animals were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, through perfusion in the musculature and visceral cavity. Macroscopically, the Australian parakeet viscera did not show expressive differences when compared to other domestic birds’ species. Microscopically, the main difference was the presence of mechanoreceptors (Corpuscles of Pacini) in the tongue, found for the first time in this psittaciform species. KEY WORDS: Melopsittacus undulatus, morphology, topography, viscera.

Interspecies variation in orbital bone structure of psittaciform birds (with emphasis on Psittacidae)

This text presents an anatomical study of the normal bony orbital structure of a sample of different bird species belonging to the order Psittaciformes. The bony anatomy of Psittaciformes' skulls was examined and described using cadavers of birds that were presented already dead to the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil or had been euthanized for humane reasons. Dissections of the orbital cavity were performed under 2-4 x magnification, and descriptions of the orbital bones were made from observations of macerated skulls that had been boiled and cleaned. The present paper discusses the main features of the bony orbit of psittaciform birds, describing known anatomical information but also bringing new information, mainly concerning species differences that might help not only veterinary anatomists but also zoologists, clinicians, researchers, and students of veterinary ophthalmology to better comprehend this order of birds. Variations in the anatomic conformation of the bony elements of the orbit were observed in different species of Psittaciformes. Based on these differences, Psittaciformes were classified into two different groups. The first group of Psittaciformes shows an enclosed (complete) bony orbit formed by the junction of the orbital with the postorbital processes, creating a suborbital arch. The second group of Psittaciformes essentially lacked a suborbital arch, presenting an open (incomplete) bony orbit, typical of most modern birds. In the latter group, orbital and postorbital processes are present.

The Role of Learned Acoustic Structure in the Song of the Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus.

We examined the functional significance of learned acoustic structure in Budgerigars, a species of Psittaciformes in which vocal learning is common. We compared the acoustic structure of normal song to the song of males deafened early in life. The 'deaf song' differed from normal song in the structure of its component sounds. In playback experiments, normal male song elicited more song from male subjects than did the deaf song. The results are discussed in terms of the possible roles that learned acoustic structure plays in male-male communication among Budgerigars.

CHICK GROWTH AND BREEDING SUCCESS OF THE BURROWING PARROT

Abstract We present the first data on the breeding biology of wild Burrowing Parrots (Cyanoliseus patagonus). We studied chick growth and breeding success at the largest colony of the species in the province of Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina, during the 1999–2000 breeding season. A very high fledging success was observed and related to the absence of nest predation and the colonial breeding system. Safe nest sites were also thought to favor large mass recession of the nestlings before fledging. Mortality during the nestling period tended to be higher for fourth and fifth nestlings of a brood, indicating that brood reduction occurred. Burrowing Parrots in the study colony showed large variability in growth parameters between nestlings, possibly related to the hatching asynchrony observed. Allometric relationships for egg mass, clutch size, relative clutch mass, and nestling period of 29 wild psittaciform species are described and compared with the data from the Burrowing Parrots. Desarrollo de los Pichone...

Reovirus infection in two species of Psittaciformes recently imported into Italy

An outbreak of reovirus infection with high mortality in two groups of recently imported psittacine birds is reported. The disease in the two species involved, African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) and Australian king parrots (Alisterus scapularis), had differences in clinical presentation and gross lesions. Reovirus particles were observed by electron microscopy and ultrastructural examination of tissues, and two viruses were isolated in cell culture, one from each bird species. Both isolates were studied by cross-neutralization with antisera against reference avian reoviruses isolated from chickens and parrots, and were found to have the greatest similarity to viruses isolated from a budgerigar and a southern screamer.

Safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of an inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccine

SUMMARY Objective To determine safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of an inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccine in nonbudgerigar psittacine birds that varied in age, species, and immunologic status. Animals Safety of the vaccine was evaluated in 1,823 psittacines representing more than 80 species. Immunogenicity was evaluated in 285 birds (260 of various Psittaciformes species, 25 chickens). Efficacy was evaluated in 104 birds (78 of various Psittaciformes species, 26 chickens). Procedures Safety was evaluated by vaccinating birds that were determined to be seronegative or seropositive (titer > 1:10) prior to vaccination. Birds were then evaluated for clinically detectable systemic or local reactions for 2 months to 2 years. Immunogenicity was evaluated by testing for virus-neutralizing antibodies, vaccinating each bird twice, and then testing for a significant change in antibody titer. Efficacy was evaluated by vaccinating birds, followed in 2 to 4 weeks by intramuscular or intravenous challenge exposure. After challenge exposure, protection was evaluated by attempting to recover virus from tissues or by observing birds for clinical signs of disease and testing for a significant change in titer. Conclusions Avian polyomavirus vaccine is safe, immunogenic, and efficacious for use in multiple species of mature and immature psittacines. Clinical Relevance Until now, prevention of polyomavirus infection in psittacine birds could only be accomplished through strict isolation to reduce potential exposure to the virus. The USDA-registered inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccine can safely be used to protect vaccinates from infection and control spread of this virus in flocks. (Am J Vet Res 1998,59:143–148)