The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is considered the world's most endangered parrot, with the last wild bird disappearing in 2001 and only 74 birds in captivity. To establish hematologic and plasma biochemical reference ranges and to look for differences relative to sex, age, and season, we obtained blood samples from 46 captive Spix's macaws (23 male, 23 female) housed in aviaries at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation in the State of Qatar. No significant differences in hematologic or plasma biochemical values were found between females and males. Adult and juvenile birds differed in mean concentrations of glucose, total protein, amylase, cholesterol, and phosphorus; in percentages of heterophils and lymphocytes; and in the absolute lymphocyte count. Total protein, cholesterol, and phosphorus concentrations; hematocrit; and heterophil and lymphocyte counts differed significantly by season. Baseline hematologic and plasma biochemical ranges were established, which may be useful as reference values for clinicians working with this highly endangered species.

No abstract

We evaluated results of over 4400 documented faecal parasitological examinations between 2000 and 2007 in more than 90 individuals of six species of Birds of Paradise (BoP). Between 2000 and 2007, 83.2% of investigated samples were negative for parasites, and the number of negative samples increased consistently over the years; in positive samples, the proportion of Capillaria sp decreased (from 100% to 4.8%) and that of Coccidia sp increased (from 0% to 67.5%). Differences in prevalence of endoparasites between species, epidemiological units (houses) and sexes were found. The Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleuca, which has the highest reported proportion of insects in its natural diet, had the highest prevalence of tapeworms, indicating a high propensity to ingest intermediate hosts. Coccidia sp were particularly prevalent in an epidemiological unit with high exposure to free-ranging birds. The number of offspring per female and year correlated with the percentage of negative samples taken in the according year and species. The results indicate that consistent antiparasitic management leads to a reduction of parasite species; that parasites with intermediate hosts are more difficult to control; that exposure to free-ranging birds should be minimized; and that a tight antiparasitic management potentially contributes to the improved breeding success in bird species. to free-ranging birds should be minimized; and that a tight antiparasitic management potentially contributes to the improved breeding success in bird species. Long-term monitoring of endoparasites in captive birds-of-paradise at Right-hand running title: PARASITES IN BIRDS-OF-PARADISE Left

Bill impaction in a group of captive Caribbean flamingos

No abstract