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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Imaging birds in a bird cage: in-vivo FSE 3D MRI of bird brain.

An in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure is described that allows one to obtain three-dimensional high quality images of the entire brain of small birds such as the canary (20 g) and the starling (75 g) with an image resolution of 0.1 mm (58-113 microm, dependent on the size of the imaged bird). The entire imaging procedure took about 2 h after which the birds recovered from anaesthesia uneventfully and could be reused for subsequent additional imaging. This non invasive MRI technique enables to correlate brain measures with behavioural or physiological data that are dynamic in nature and could permit significant progress for bird neurological research.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Blood parasites of birds in Central Europe. 1. Survey of literature. The incidence in domestic birds and general remarks to the incidence in wild birds.

This paper constitutes an introduction to the forthcoming series of publications summing up the present store of knowledge on the incidence and ecology of avian haematozoa in Central Europe. The paper contains bibliography dealing with the incidence of these parasites in the region studied. The problem of the incidence of blood parasites in domestic birds is discussed in detail. The incidence of blood parasites in wild birds is only briefly outlined as it is to be treated in detail in forthcoming papers.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1995

Timing of seasonal breeding in birds, with particular reference to New Zealand birds.

A model to explain the timing of seasonal breeding in birds is presented. It is assumed that, despite the wide range in egg-laying seasons, there are common physiological mechanisms which underlie seasonality in birds and that most, if not all, birds are photoperiodic. Birds are considered to possess an internal rhythm of reproduction which is synchronized with seasonal changes in the environment by external factors, particularly the annual cycle of daylength. The rhythm consists, at least in part, of regular changes in the photoperiodic response between states of photosensitivity and photorefractoriness. Avian breeding seasons effectively start in autumn when birds become photosensitive, regardless of when egg-laying occurs. The timing of breeding is then influenced by the rate of increase of hypothalamic 'drive' and by the sensitivity of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to inhibitory feedback from gonadal steroids. If sensitivity is high, gonadal growth will not occur until the threshold daylength for photostimulation is exceeded after the winter solstice. Egg-laying then starts in late winter, spring or summer. Alternatively, steroid feedback may be relatively low and gonadal growth may be sufficiently rapid once the birds become photosensitive that breeding occurs in late autumn or winter. The time of egg-laying in birds may also be strongly influenced by supplementary information, such as social cues, food availability, temperature and rainfall and, in some species, this information is more important than daylength in determining the timing of breeding. The review also includes the first summary of the breeding seasons of New Zealand birds. The pattern of egg-laying is exactly the same in native birds, in birds introduced to New Zealand and in other Southern hemisphere birds from similar latitudes, with a broad peak of egg-laying occurring from September to December. In addition, annual cycles of steroid hormone concentrations in the North Island brown kiwi, the yellow-eyed penguin and the kakapo are consistent with results from many studies on Northern hemisphere birds. This model for the timing of breeding in birds can be applied to New Zealand birds and it is concluded that the physiological control mechanisms for the timing of seasonal breeding in New Zealand birds are similar to those of other birds.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Bird antigen persistence in the home environment after removal of the bird.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) secondary to bird exposure is treated with glucocorticosteroids and avoidance. Despite therapy, symptoms may persist for a prolonged time. Just as cat antigen, Fel d 1, may persist for greater than 20 weeks after cat removal, there may be persistent bird antigen to explain prolonged symptoms in bird HP. It was the intent of this study to determine household distribution and persistence of bird antigen after removal of the bird from the patient's home. The homes of patients with birds were followed serially after bird removal with multiple samples collected using a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Bird antigen levels were determined by an inhibition enzyme-linked immunoassay. In five homes the antigen declined gradually despite extensive environmental control measures, with high levels still detectable at 18 months in one home. This data suggests that high levels of bird antigen can be detected for prolonged periods of time after bird removal and environmental cleanup. The antigen may account for the persistence of disease in some patients with HP. In severe HP, the preferred therapy may be temporary relocation of the patient away from the room in which the bird was housed, in addition to corticosteroids, until the patient's environment is demonstrated to be relatively bird antigen-free.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2001

Accumulation of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments, aquatic organisms, birds, bird eggs and bat collected from south India.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), HCH isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were determined in sediment, soil, whole body homogenates of resident and migratory birds and their prey items (including fish, green mussel, snail, earthworm, crabs, prawn, lizard and frogs), bird eggs and bats collected from southern India during 1995 and 1998. Accumulation pattern of organochlorines (OCs) in biota was, in general, in the order, HCHs > DDTs > PCBs > CHLs = HCB. Magnitude of OC concentrations increased in the order of sediments < green mussel < earthworm < from < lizard < fish < bird egg < bats < birds tissues. Biomagnification features of OCs were examined in resident and migrant birds to evaluate the exposure levels of these chemicals in wintering grounds of migrant birds. Accumulation of DDTs in migratory birds during wintering in India may be of concern due to the great biomagnification potential of DDTs. Eggs of some resident species contained noticeable concentrations of OCs. Concentrations of OCs in three species of bats analyzed in this study were lower than that found in passerine birds. In addition to OCs, butyltin compounds were also detected at low concentrations in bats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Bacteriological monitoring of Salmonella enteritidis carrier birds after decontamination using enrofloxacin, competitive exclusion and movement of birds.

Two hundred and forty, four-week-old laying birds naturally infected with Salmonella enteritidis PT33 (Pasteur Institute phage typing system) were randomly divided twice (before and during the treatments) to obtain four separately housed groups of 60 birds and to study the efficacy of three decontamination treatments: enrofloxacin either with or without the movement of birds to a clean area, and enrofloxacin combined with movement of birds and a competitive exclusion treatment. The control group remained untreated. In each group contamination with S enteritidis was checked bacteriologically, every week from two months before until two months after the treatments began. All the samples taken from all the birds before the treatments began were S enteritidis-positive. After the treatments it was not possible to isolate salmonella either from the environment or from the faeces of the three treated groups. All the birds were humanely sacrificed at 22 weeks of age and samples of liver, spleen, ovaries and caeca were analysed for the presence of salmonella. The results demonstrated that although antibiotic therapy, the movement of birds into a clean house and competitive exclusion, either combined or not, had some efficacy in reducing infection levels, it was not possible to decontaminate all the birds completely.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2002

Development of a bird integrity index: using bird assemblages as indicators of riparian condition.

We describe the development of a bird integrity index (BII) that uses bird assemblage information to assess human impacts on 13 stream reaches in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA. We used bird survey data to test 62 candidate metrics representing aspects of bird taxonomic richness, tolerance or intolerance to human disturbance, dietary preferences, foraging techniques, and nesting strategies that were affected positively or negatively by human activities. We evaluated the metric responsiveness by plotting each one against a measure of site disturbance that included aspects of land use/land cover, road density, riparian cover, and stream channel and substrate conditions. In addition, we eliminated imprecise and highly correlated (redundant) metrics, leaving 13 metrics for the final index. Individual metric scores ranged continuously from 0 to 10, and index scores were weighted to range from 0 to 100. Scores were calibrated using historical species information to set expectations for the number of species expected under minimally disturbed conditions. Site scores varied from 82 for the least disturbed stream reach to 8.5 for an urban site. We compared the bird integrity index site scores with the performance of other measures of biotic response developed during this study: a fish index of biointegrity (IBI) and two benthic macroinvertebrate metrics. The three assemblages agreed on the general level of disturbance; however, individual sites scored differently depending on specific indicator response to in-stream or riparian conditions. The bird integrity index appears to be a useful management and monitoring tool for assessing riparian integrity and communicating the results to the public. Used together with aquatic indicator response and watershed data, bird assemblage information contributes to a more complete picture of stream condition.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Bird-egg syndrome. Cross-reactivity between bird antigens and egg-yolk livetins in IgE-mediated hypersensitivity.

87 adult patients from our allergy clinic were skin tested with budgerigar and canary feathers, hen's egg white and egg yolk and common inhalant allergens. Of 59 patients found to be atopic, 17 (29%) were concomitantly sensitized to bird dander and egg proteins, 10 of them being symptomatic to bird dander and/or egg exposure. All but 1 of the egg-symptomatic patients were exposed to pet birds. The patients with strong serological reactivity to bird antigens were also exclusively sensitized to egg proteins, in particular to livetins (water-soluble fractions of egg-yolk proteins). Extensive RAST-inhibition studies demonstrated identical patterns of cross-reactivity between bird dander and hen's egg proteins, livetins being the major cross-reacting antigens. This peculiar IgE-mediated allergy is designated as 'bird-egg syndrome'. It is suggested that egg intolerance in adults is mainly due to sensitization to egg-yolk livetins and can be provoked by inhalation of pet bird dander. Thus, it must be distinguished from the common egg-white allergy of atopic children. Our study further underlines the importance of respiratory sensitization in adult food allergy. On the other hand, exposure to cross-reacting antigens by ingestion might also influence the allergic manifestations to inhalant allergens.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Chromosome banding pattern conservatism in birds and nonhomology of chromosome banding patterns between birds, turtles, snakes and amphibians.

The G-banded karyotypes of 4 species of birds representing the orders Galliformes, Columbiformes and Musophagiformes were compared. Banding pattern homology between orders was limited t 5o 5 major chromosome arms and the Z chromosome. Even in these major chromosome arms pericentric and paracentric inversions produced alteration of the banding pattern sequences. Addition of constitutive heterochromatin was responsible for changes in banding patterns in the Z chromosome. The chromosome banding patterns of an emydid turtle, Terrepene carolina, 5 species of boid snakes of the genera Liasis, Acrantophis, and Sanzinia and the African clawed-frog. Xenopus muelleri, were also compared to the bird chromosome banding patterns. No homology was observed between any of these major groups: bird, snake, turtle, amphibian. However, intergroup homology was apparent. - The data obtained do not support reports of broad interordinal direct homology of the macrochromosomes of birds and refutes the idea of a primitive bird karyotype with 3 pairs of "Agroup' chromosomes and 3 pairs of "B group' chromosomes. - The major mechanisms responsible for chromosome evolution in birds appear to be centric and tandem fusions, paracentric and pericentric inversions, and addition or deletion of heterochromatin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Puberty in birds: the reproductive system of starlings does not respond to short days until birds are fully grown.

If adult starlings are kept on long days, they rapidly become refractory to long days (photorefractory). The recovery of the ability to respond to long days (photosensitivity) occurs after transfer to short days. Photosensitivity is associated with an increase in hypothalamic content of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and, in castrated birds, with an increase in plasma LH. If photorefractory adult or juvenile starlings are transferred to short days, these events begin 3 and 4 weeks respectively after transfer. Starlings apparently hatch in a photorefractory state. However, if nestlings are hand-reared under short days, the increases in GnRH and LH begin at 6 and 7 weeks of age respectively. In this 3-week delay, which corresponds to the time to reach adult body size, simply due to a slower response, or are nestlings incapable of responding to short days until fully grown? Castrated male nestling starlings were hand-reared under short days, under long days or under long days initially and transferred to short days at 2, 3, 6 or 9.5 weeks of age. The increase in plasma LH in birds transferred to short days at or before 3 weeks began at the same time as in birds kept on short days (7 weeks). In birds transferred at 3 weeks or later, the increase in LH began 4 weeks after transfer, irrespective of age. Intact female starlings showed similar responses. Birds kept on short days did not moult whereas birds transferred from long days to short days at 3 weeks did.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Brachyspira spp. (Serpulina spp.) in birds: a review and results from a study of Swedish game birds.

Only limited data concerning the prevalence of intestinal spirochetes are available in game birds. This paper describes the prevalence and biochemical reactions of spirochetes isolated from 25 common partridges, 7 pheasants and 16 mallards originating from nine Swedish game-bird farms. The birds, which had been submitted for post-mortem examination due to various problems, showed a variety of underlying diseases. Additionally, fecal droppings from 22 common partridges, 20 pheasants and 20 mallards obtained at one of the farms were included in the study. Intestinal spirochetes were isolated from 85.4% of the game birds and from 71% of the fecal droppings. Seven biochemical types were identified. Seventeen per cent of all isolates were classified as Brachyspira pilosicoli and 3% as B. intermedia. One isolate showed strong beta-hemolysis and a positive indole reaction that is consistent with B. hyodysenteriae. In addition, three previously unknown biochemical types were found. Unclassified spirochetes in presumed mixed cultures were observed in 21% of all samples of fecal droppings. Histologic examination of spirochete-positive birds revealed numerous spirochetes in the lumen and crypts of the cecum, in some cases densely adhered by one end to the luminal surface. The significance of the findings is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Foot-and-mouth disease: susceptibility of domestic poultry and free-living birds to infection and to disease--a review of the historical and current literature concerning the role of birds in spread of foot-and-mouth disease viruses.

Ruminants and pigs are the dominant natural hosts of food-and-mouth disease (FMD) viruses. Approximately 70 additional mammalian species are found to be susceptible under natural or experimental conditions. Reptilia, amphibia, and fish are probably naturally resistant to infection. According to the reviewed literature, domestic birds (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks and geese) have been experimentally infected with some strains of FMD viruses and may develop lesions suggestive of FMD such as vesicular lesions on the comb, wattles, eye lids, and feet. Since chickens are to some extent coprophagous, chickens get infected by ingestion of virus under conditions of natural exposure or their plumage gets contaminated in an infectious environment. Thus, domestic birds kept in free-run systems may serve as virus vectors for short distances. Free-living birds, especially starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), sea gulls (Larus canus), house-sparrows (Passer domesticus) have been successfully experimentally infected and developed vesicular lesions on the skin and mucosal membranes of the mouth. During epizootics of FMD the plumage of these free-living birds can be contaminated with FMD viruses and the virus is spread over long distances during migration periods in spring and autumn. Thus migrating birds may assume an active role in long distance dissemination of FMD viruses.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Chlamydiosis in birds in Great Britain. 1. Serological reactions to chlamydia in birds sampled between 1974 and 1983.

A total of 6593 serum samples from birds, received for diagnostic testing or surveys between 1974 and 1983, were titrated by direct complement fixation (CF) test against Chlamydia psittaci antigen. The percentage of positive reactions found was variable for domestic poultry, ranging from 1.5 in chickens to 22.2 in geese, and was highest in pigeons Columba livia (47.3) and collared doves Streptopelia decaocto (51.4). A moderate incidence was found for game birds (29.0), wild ducks (23.3) and imported birds of the order Psittaciformes (15.9). The highest titres were found in pigeons, collared doves and psittacines, confirming that infection is both frequent and active in these birds in Britain. Results of isolation of chlamydia from similar sources will be reported subsequently.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Detection of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes and seropositive juvenile birds in the vicinity of virus-positive dead birds.

Mosquitoes and wild birds were collected from three sites near locations in the New York City metropolitan area where single, West Nile (WN) virus-positive dead birds were found early in the 2000 transmission season. The mosquitoes were tested for the presence of infectious virus with a Vero cell culture assay and for WN viral RNA by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocols. Serum samples from wild birds were tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against WN virus. Infectious WN virus and WN viral RNA were found in Culex species adult mosquitoes from each of the three sites, and a seropositive hatch-year house sparrow (Passer domesticus) was found in one of the three sites. Molecular techniques used to identify the species in the positive mosquito pools found that most of the pools contained a combination of Culex pipiens and Cx. restuans. The minimum infection rate in Culex species mosquitoes from the sites ranged from 0.2 to 6.0 per 1,000 specimens tested. The results demonstrated that, at least early in the transmission season, detection of a WN virus-positive dead bird indicates a local WN virus transmission cycle. This information is valuable in focusing subsequent surveillance and vector management programs. In addition, the RT-PCR procedure for detecting WN viral RNA in mosquito pools detected more positive pools than did the Vero cell plaque assay.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Why birds kill: cross-sectional analysis of U.S. Air Force bird strike data.

In the past, bird strikes have been analyzed in an effort to reduce costs by reducing strikes. No one has evaluated bird strike data from the perspective of injury prevention and the cost in human lives. This is a cross-sectional analysis of 22,423 bird strikes reported in the U.S. Air Force in 1974-88. Summary statistics revealed patterns previously reported by others. Relative risk analysis of fatal and injurious bird strikes revealed several statistically significant associations. Fatal or injurious outcomes were associated with strikes in the F-4 and B-1. In addition, windshield penetration was likely to cause death or injury. Flying on a bombing range or flying at speeds greater than 556 km/h (300 knots indicated airspeed) were also more likely to lead to a serious outcome. This analysis can be used as an adjunct to previous analytical methods and, I hope, can provide insight into more focused strategies for saving both lives and aircraft.

Accident Prevention↗