Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Values of Spix's Macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii)

Abstract

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.

Hematologic reference intervals and age effect in European Strigiformes

“…The H:L ratio of Long‐eared owl (mean chicks H:L = 0.96; mean juveniles, H:L = 1.41) disagreed with that reported previously for animals of different ages (H:L = 1.8) . A transition from a lymphocytic to a heterophilic leukogram was described in psittacine species during maturation …”

Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals of free‐living Red‐Tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) nestlings on Rasa Island, Paraná, Brazil

“…The birds in this study did not show apparent muscle injury; therefore, this increase could have been elicited by muscular effort caused by restraint for blood collection. Creatine kinase activities of 1088 U/L and 767 U/L were found in captive Cyanopsitta spixii adults and nestlings, respectively . The authors suggested that increased CK activities may have been due to enzyme leakage caused by muscle trauma during capture and restraint of birds for sample collection.…”

Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Values of Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

“…15,16 Similarly, the total WBC counts were lower than those reported for macaws in captivity. [18][19][20] In most avian species, increases in leukocyte counts due to stress are less profound than what is seen in mammals, presumably because of the inability of the avian spleen to contract. 22 An exception can be made in macaw species, in which WBC counts can easily increase to 20 000 cells/lL in individuals kept in captivity.…”