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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Wall thickness of gas- and marrow-filled avian long bones: measurements on humeri, femora and tibiotarsi in crows (Corvus corone cornix) and magpies (Pica pica).

We studied how the ratio K of the internal to external diameter of gas- and marrow-filled avian long bones follows the biomechanical optima derived for tubular bones with minimum mass designed to fulfil various mechanical requirements. We evaluated radiographs of numerous humeri, femora and tibiotarsi in Corvus corone cornix and Pica pica. The K-values of the gas-filled humerus (K=0.78+/-0.03) and the marrow-filled femur (K=0.79+/-0.02) in Corvus are practically the same, while K of the marrow-filled tibiotarsus (K=0.71+/-0.04) is significantly smaller. The same is true for the gas-filled humerus (K=0.78+/-0.02) and the marrow-filled femur (K=0.77+/-0.02) and tibiotarsus (K=0.67+/-0.05) in Pica. K in Corvus is slightly larger than K in Pica, but the differences are statistically not significant. The standard deviation DeltaK of the tibiotarsi (DeltaK=0.04-0.05) is approximately two times as large as that of the humeri (DeltaK=0.02-0.03) and femora (DeltaK=0.02) in both species. Accepting the assumption of earlier authors that the ratio Q of the marrow to bone density is 0.5, our data show that the marrow-filled tibiotarsi of Corvus and Pica are optimized for stiffness, while the marrow-filled femora are far from any optimum. The relative wall thickness W=1-K of the gas-filled avian humeri studied is much larger than the theoretical optimum W*=1-K*=0.07, and thus these bones are thicker-walled than the optimal gas-filled tubular bone with minimum mass.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Development of object permanence in food-storing magpies (Pica pica).

The development of object permanence was investigated in black-billed magpies (Pica pica), a food-storing passerine bird. The authors tested the hypothesis that food-storing development should be correlated with object-permanence development and that specific stages of object permanence should be achieved before magpies become independent. As predicted, Piagetian Stages 4 and 5 were reached before independence was achieved, and the ability to represent a fully hidden object (Piagetian Stage 4) emerged by the age when magpies begin to retrieve food. Contrary to psittacine birds and humans, but as in dogs and cats, no "A-not-B error" occurred. Although magpies also mastered 5 of 6 invisible displacement tasks, evidence of Piagetian Stage 6 competence was ambiguous.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria from magpies (Pica pica) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from west Wales.

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild animal and bird populations is largely unknown, with little consistency among the few published reports. We therefore examined intestinal bacteria from magpies (Pica pica) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) collected in rural west Wales. Escherichia coli isolates resistant to multiple antibiotics were grown from eight of 20 magpies trapped in spring, 1999 and one of 17 in spring, 2000; the most prevalent resistance trait among these isolates was to tetracycline, but resistances to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, sulphonamide, tetracycline and trimethoprim were also found. Tetracycline-resistant Enterococcus spp. were found in one of 20 magpies in 1999 and three of 17 in 2000. Only one resistant E. coli isolate was detected among gut bacteria from 13 rabbits, and this strain was resistant only to tetracycline. Differences in the prevalence of resistance between bacteria from rabbits and magpies may reflect differences in diet: rabbits graze field edges, whereas magpies are omnivorous and opportunistic. The resistance genes found in E. coli isolates from magpies mostly corresponded to those common among human isolates, but those conferring tetracycline resistance were unique.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effects of the wingbeat cycle on respiration in black-billed magpies (Pica pica)

Interclavicular and posterior thoracic airsac pressures, tracheal airflows and pectoralis muscle activity were recorded simultaneously to determine the effect of the wingbeat cycle upon the function of the respiratory system. The effects of the wingbeat cycle on the relative positions of thoraco-abdominal skeletal structures were also assessed using high-speed X-ray cinematography of magpies Pica pica flying in a windtunnel. We found that the furcula bends laterally on the downstroke and recoils medially on the upstroke, as previously described for starlings, and that the coraco-sternal joint (the most consistently visible point on the sternum for digitization) is displaced dorsally during the downstroke and ventrally, with respect to the vertebral column, during the upstroke. In magpies, there are generally three wingbeat cycles during a respiratory cycle. When downstroke occurs during inspiration, its compressive effect reduces the inspiratory subatmospheric airsac pressure by an average of 92 % (0.35 kPa), whereas when upstroke occurs during expiration its expansive effect can reduce the expiratory supra-atmospheric airsac pressure by 63 % (0.23 kPa). Corresponding changes occur in tracheal airflow. Changes in respiratory parameters during short flights with respect to resting values include a doubling of tidal volume and a tripling of respiratory frequency. We conclude that the wingbeat cycle can have a substantial impact on respiratory system function in the flying magpie, and that this represents a mechanical basis for breathing patterns and patterns of phasic coordination between wingbeat and respiratory cycles that may result in minimal interference and maximal assistance from the wingbeat upon the respiratory cycle.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Highly pathogenic avian influenza in magpies (Pica pica sericea) in South Korea.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely infectious, systemic viral disease of birds that produces high mortality and morbidity. HPAI was diagnosed in the three dead magpies (Pica pica sericea) submitted to the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service. At necropsy, the prominent lesions were multifocal or coalescing necrosis of the pancreas with enlargement of the livers and spleens. Microscopically, there were severely necrotizing pancreatitis and lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. Influenza viral antigen was also detected in areas closely associated with histologic lesions. Avian influenza virus was isolated from cecal tonsils and feces of the magpies. The isolated virus was identified as a highly pathogenic H5N1, with hemagglutinin proteolytic cleavage site deduced amino acid sequence of QREKRKKR/GLFGAIAG. To determine the pathogenicity of the isolate, eight 6-wk-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were inoculated intravenously with the virus, and all birds died within 24 hr after inoculation. This is the first report of HPAI in magpies.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of sleep and wakefulness in 24-h light-dark cycles in the juvenile and adult magpie, Pica pica.

The daily organization of sleep and wakefulness was examined electrographically under natural conditions in captive juvenile and adult magpies, Pica pica. Electrographic indices of sleep in the magpie were found to be similar to those of other avian species. The daily amount of TS in juveniles was 17% greater than in adults. The amount of paradoxical sleep (PS) in adults was one-fifth that of juveniles. In adults sleep was confined to darkness, while in juveniles it also occurred during the light period. SWS in adults was almost constant, while PS slightly increased across the night. No systematic trends were observed in juveniles. In both groups of birds, the longest sleep episodes appeared around midnight.

Aging↗
PubMed1981

Possible fenthion toxicity in magpies (Pica pica).

Unusual mortality in magpies (Pica pica) is described. Dead or sick birds were discovered in proximity to cattle in Alberta feedlots. Subsequent examinations indicated magpies were being exposed to fenthion, an organophosphate used on cattle for control of warble larvae and lice. The possibility of toxicity with fenthion is suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Feathers of the magpie (Pica pica) as a bioindicator material for heavy metal pollution assessment.

This study examined the lead and cadmium content of external tail feathers of magpies from 15 localities in Poland, differing in degree of industralization and urbanization. Extremely high levels (up to 1500 micrograms/g dry wt. Pb and about 40 micrograms/g dry wt. Cd) were found in samples from areas surrounding two zinc smelting works. The correlation between metal content in feathers and size of immission (mg/m2/y) at the sites of capture was 0.96 for Pb and 0.97 for Cd. Magpie tail feathers are recommended as a material for environmental biomonitoring.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Coordination of respiratory cycles with wingbeat cycles in the black-billed magpie (Pica pica)

Magpies fly with a variable pattern of wingstroke, including high-amplitude rapid flaps and low-amplitude slower flaps with interspersed brief glides. This allowed us to test the hypothesis that if phasic coordination between respiratory and wingbeat cycles is important mechanically and energetically, then, as a bird changes its wingbeat cycle, its respiratory cycle should change with it. We also tested the strength of the drive to coordinate respiratory to locomotor cycles by stimulating breathing with 5 % CO2 during flight. We found that magpies (N=5) do shorten their breath cycle time when they shorten their wingbeat cycle time and prolong their breath cycle time when they glide. When the coordination ratio of wingbeat cycles to breaths is 3:1, the pattern of phasic coordination ensures two upstrokes per inspiration and two downstrokes per expiration. Upstroke tends to coincide with the transition into inspiration or with early inspiration and late inspiration. Downstroke tends to coincide with the transition into expiration or with early expiration and late expiration. When magpies switch from a 3:1 ratio to a 2:1 ratio of wingbeat cycles to breaths, they shorten inspiratory time to ensure that upstroke occurs through most of inspiration and downstroke corresponds to the transition into expiration. These phasic coordination patterns ensure that the compression of the airsacs during downstroke can provide a net assistance to expiration and that the expansion of the airsacs with upstroke can provide a net assistance to inspiration. The failure of an atmosphere containing 5 % CO2 to disrupt these phasic coordination patterns between respiratory and locomotory cycles suggests that there may be a potent mechanical and energetic benefit to such coordination.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pica in pregnancy: does it affect pregnancy outcomes?

PURPOSE: To discover the prevalence of pica, the documentation of pica on medical records, and any relationship of pica to pregnancy outcomes in rural socioeconomically disadvantaged pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective, descriptive, correlational investigation with 128 women who sought prenatal care from two rural community health agencies. Demographic and sociocultural variables, pica practices, pica substances ingested, and pregnancy outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of these pregnant women practiced pica. African-American women reported practicing pica more often than other ethnicities. Substances ingested included ice (>1 cup/day), freezer frost, laundry starch, cornstarch, clay dirt, and baked clay dirt. Polypica (ingestion of more than one substance) was practiced by 11 women. Women practicing pica were more likely to have been underweight prior to pregnancy, and smoked fewer cigarettes. Women reporting daily pica practice were significantly more likely to have lower prenatal hematocrits than women who did not practice pica, or who practiced pica less frequently than daily. No specific pregnancy complication was associated with the practice of pica. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Pica exists, and might be more common than healthcare providers assume. Although this study did not show specific pregnancy complications associated with pica, other studies have shown anemia and lead poisoning among women who practice pica. It is not clear that patients volunteer information about pica, so it would be helpful if nurses queried patients at each prenatal visit regarding pica practice. Discussion of pica practices should be based on a nonjudgmental model, for pica may have strong cultural implications, and may be practiced for cultural reasons unknown to the nurse.

Adult↗