Stakeholder perceptions of bird-window collisions.

Bird-window collisions are a major source of human-caused avian mortality for which many mitigation and prevention options are available. However, because very little research has characterized human perspectives related to this issue, there is limited understanding about the most effective ways to engage the public in collision reduction efforts. To address this research need, we: (1) evaluated how two stakeholder groups, homeowners and conservation practitioners, prioritize potential benefits and obstacles related to bird-window collision management, (2) compared priorities between these groups, and (3) evaluated potential conflicts and collective strength of opinions within groups. We addressed these objectives by merging the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey approaches. Specifically, survey respondents made pairwise comparisons between strengths and weaknesses (respectively, direct outcomes and barriers related to management, such as fewer collisions and increased costs) and opportunities and threats (indirect outcomes and barriers, such as increased bird populations and fewer resources for other building-related expenses). Both homeowners and conservation practitioners ranked strengths and opportunities higher than weaknesses and threats, indicating they have an overall positive perception toward reducing bird-window collisions. However, key obstacles that were identified included costs of management and a lack of policy and guidelines to require or guide management. These results suggest that substantial advances can be made to reduce bird-window collisions because both homeowners and conservation practitioners had positive views, suggesting their receptivity toward collision management measures. However, because of more neutral views and conflicting responses within the homeowner group, results also highlight the importance of targeting homeowners with education materials that provide information about bird-window collisions and solutions that reduce them. Because bird-window collisions are a human-caused phenomenon, such information about human perspectives and priorities will be crucial to addressing this threat and thus benefitting bird populations.

Successful Treatment of Acute Craniodorsal Coxofemoral Luxation in a Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) Using Closed Reduction and a Modified Ehmer Sling.

Whereas craniodorsal displacement of the coxofemoral joint is the most common luxation reported in small and large mammals, it occurs less often in avian species. Closed reduction and external coaptation with a modified Ehmer sling is the initial treatment, in most cases, for small animals (eg, dogs, cats) that present with a coxofemoral luxation. However, the Ehmer sling is reported to have a low success rate in treating coxofemoral luxations in these animals. Intractable coxofemoral luxations require an open surgical reduction. A few successful closed reductions of coxofemoral luxations have been reported in avian patients, as well as open reduction surgical techniques to repair avian coxofemoral luxations. The successful treatment of an acute craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in a scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) with a closed reduction and a modified Ehmer sling is described in this clinical report. The specific characteristics of both the patient and the injury are thought to have contributed to the success in this case.

Species, causes, and outcomes of wildlife rehabilitation in New York State.

Wildlife rehabilitation is a publicly popular practice, though not without controversy. State wildlife agencies frequently debate the ecological impact of rehabilitation. By analyzing case records, we can clarify and quantify the causes for rehabilitation, species involved, and treatment outcomes. This data would aid regulatory agencies and rehabilitators in making informed decisions, as well as gaining insight into causes of species mortality. In New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has licensed rehabilitators since 1980 and annual reporting is required. In this study, we analyzed 58,185 individual wildlife cases that were attended by New York rehabilitators between 2012 and 2014. These encompassed 30,182 (51.9%) birds, 25,447 (43.7%) mammals, 2,421 (4.2%) reptiles, and 75 (0.1%) amphibians. We identified patterns among taxonomic representation, reasons for presentation to a rehabilitation center, and animal disposition. Major causes of presentation were trauma (n = 22,156; 38.1%) and orphaning (n = 21,679; 37.3%), with habitat loss (n = 3,937; 6.8%), infectious disease (n = 1,824; 3.1%), and poisoning or toxin exposure (n = 806; 1.4%) playing lesser roles. The overall release rate for animals receiving care was 50.2% while 45.3% died or were euthanized during the rehabilitation process. A relatively small number (0.3%) were permanently non-releasable and placed in captivity; 4.1% had unknown outcomes. A comparable evaluation in 1989 revealed that wildlife submissions have increased (annual mean 12,583 vs 19,395), and are accompanied by a significant improvement in release (50.2% in the study period vs 44.4% in 1989) (χ2(1) = 90.43, p < 0.0001). In this manuscript, we aim to describe the rehabilitator community in New York State, and present the causes and outcomes for rehabilitation over a three-year period.

Automutilação em abutre real (Sarcoramphus papa) mantido em cativeiro / Self-mutilation in king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) kept in captivity / Automutilación en buitre real (Sarcoramphus papa) mantenido en cautiverio

O abutre real (Sarcoramphus papa) é um pássaro compacto de cor extraordinária, cabeça nua, possui carúnculas e papilas carnudas vermelhas e alaranjadas em torno do bico, a íris é branca com um anel orbital vermelho. Em cativeiro, o estresse é uma condição bastante observada, o que pode levar a automutilação, podendo evoluir para lesões graves na pele e músculos. O objetivo do presente relato é descrever os procedimentos adotados em um caso de automutilação em Sarcoramphus papa, mantido em cativeiro, e a importância do manejo adequado para essa espécie em cativeiro. Foi atendido em um Hospital Veterinário Universitário, um urubu-rei apresentando ferimento contaminado, com exposição óssea na asa direita. Após tratamento o animal foi encaminhado para uma reserva conservacionista para que fosse condicionada a voltar para seu habitat natural.(AU)

The king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) is a large bird with extraordinary color, bold head, presenting red and orange fleshy papules and papillae around its beak, with white iris and a red orbital ring. In captivity, stress is a condition that is widely observed, which can lead to self-mutilation. Such mutilation, in turn, can progress to severe skin and muscle injuries. The purpose of this report is to describe the procedures adopted in a case of self-mutilation in Sarcoramphus papa, kept in captivity, and the importance of proper management for this species in captivity. The king vulture presenting a contaminated wound with bone exposure on the right wing was treated at a University Veterinary Hospital. After treatment, the bird was sent to a conservation reserve to be conditioned to return to its natural habitat.(AU)

El buitre real (Sarcoramphus papa) es un ave compacta de extraordinario color, cabeza descubierta, tiene carúnculas y papilas carnosas rojas y anaranjadas alrededor del pico, el iris es blanco con un anillo orbital rojo. En cautiverio, el estrés es una condición ampliamente observada, que puede conducir a la automutilación, pudiendo progresar lesiones graves en la piel y músculos. El propósito de este informe es describir los procedimientos adoptados en un caso de automutilación en Sarcoramphus papa, mantenida en cautiverio, y la importancia del manejo adecuado de esta especie en cautiverio. Se atendió en un Hospital Veterinario Universitario, un buitre real presentando una herida contaminada, con exposición ósea en el ala derecha. Luego después del tratamiento, se envió el animal a una reserva de conservación para que fuera condicionado a volver a su hábitat natural.(AU)

Prognostic Indicators of Avian Survival.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether blood glucose, packed cell volume, and total protein are effective diagnostic tests to predict short-term (48 h following admittance to a veterinary hospital) prognosis for wild birds with traumatic injuries. The cohort study conducted for this investigation took place at the Jivdaya Charitable Trust in Ahmedabad, India, over a 7-d period, at the time of the International Kite Flying Festival of Uttarayan. A small blood sample was collected from every avian patient prior to surgical treatment and immediately analyzed. Patient outcome was reviewed and recorded at the end of a 48-h period following admittance to the veterinary hospital. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlations between blood glucose levels (P = .24), packed cell volume (P = .80), or total protein levels (P = .47) outside the reference intervals and short-term outcome of the patients. There is a lack of evidence regarding the use of these diagnostic tests to ascertain short-term prognosis in avian species. While research has been conducted on avian wound healing, studies fail to identify any correlation between duration of injury and patient outcome. Despite a lack of statistically significant results from this study, the findings should not be dismissed and could be used as a basis for future studies on this subject.

Comparison of Feather Damage Associated With the Application of Pressure-sensitive Adhesive Tapes.

Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are commonly used for the positioning of birds for radiography and securing bandages. The effect of 5 common tapes on feather structure was investigated with before-and-after comparisons. Each tape demonstrated a characteristic pattern of damage to the feather vane that involved separation of barbules and/or tearing of barbs. Tapes with rigid backing materials and strong adhesives were more likely to cause tearing and barbule separation, respectively, whereas flexible tapes with limited adhesion to feathers were more successful in securing feathers without causing irreparable damage. Consideration should be given to the appropriate selection of tape applied to the feathers of birds to prevent iatrogenic damage to their plumage.

The Use of Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of a Comminuted Tibiotarsal Fracture in a Juvenile Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata).

An adult red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata) presented with a comminuted fracture of the tibiotarsus and fibula. Surgery was performed, and a type II external fixator, with 2 distal and 2 proximal pins, was used to stabilize the fracture. After a 10-day stabilization period, the bird developed a second fracture on the same bone, proximal to the first fracture site. Another surgery was performed on the seriema similar to the first one. However, in this second surgical procedure a single pin, instead of 2 perpendicular pins, was placed proximally to the fracture site. After the second surgical procedure, bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) from the seriema's left ulna were collected. Twenty-seven days after the second surgery, the BMSCs were transplanted, into the fracture sites. Twenty-four days after the stem cells were injected into the fractures (51 days after the second surgical procedure), radiographic images revealed healing bone calluses at the fracture sites. The fracture healing was relatively long for this case (a total of 75 days). The addition of bone marrow stem cell therapy to the use of external fixation may have contributed to the healing observed radiographically 24 days after administration; therefore, bone marrow stem cell therapy, in addition to traditional surgical fracture reduction and stabilization, may be a promising therapeutic approach for avian cases with similar injuries and bone anatomy. However, as this is a single case, this therapeutic modality deserves further application and study. Moreover, we suggest modifications in the bone marrow stem cell collection and therapy, which may be useful for future studies and application involving birds.

Fracture status of wild cranes (Grus monacha and G. vipio) found dead or in a weak condition at Izumi Plain in Japan.

The Izumi Plain in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is a major wintering ground for wild cranes. Between October 2009 and March 2016, a total of 204 Hooded Cranes Grus monacha and White-naped Cranes G. vipio were found dead or in a weak condition in the plane. Of these, 56 cranes had bone fractures. The rate of incidence of fracture was considered to be higher in White-naped than in Hooded Cranes. Tibia fractures were the most common. The leg and wing fracture numbers were almost equal. Forty six percent of the fracture cases were believed to be caused by collisions with the power line.

A summary of bird mortality at photovoltaic utility scale solar facilities in the Southwestern U.S.

Recent trends in renewable energy development in the United States (U.S.) show that new installed capacity of utility-scale solar energy has exceeded 30% of total installed capacity of all sources per year since 2013. Photovoltaic solar energy provides benefits in that no emissions are produced; however, there are potential impacts from photovoltaic solar development on birds that include habitat loss and potential for collision mortality. Only 2 papers in the peer-reviewed literature present fatality information from fatality monitoring studies at a photovoltaic utility-scale solar energy facility; however, more data exists in unpublished reports. To provide a more comprehensive overview of bird mortality patterns, we synthesized results from fatality monitoring studies at 10 photovoltaic solar facilities across 13 site-years in California and Nevada. We found variability in the distribution of avian orders and species among and within Bird Conservation Regions, and found that water-obligate birds, which rely on water for take-off and landing, occurred at 90% (9/10) of site-years in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts Bird Conservation Region. We found that a cause of mortality could not be determined for approximately 61% of intact carcasses, and that approximately 54% of all carcasses were feather spots, introducing uncertainty into the interpretation of the fatality estimates. The average annual fatality estimate we calculated for photovoltaic solar (high-end estimate of 2.49 birds per megawatt per year) is lower than that reported by another study (9.9 birds per megawatt per year) that included one photovoltaic facility. Our results provide a summary of fatalities in bird conservation regions where the facilities are located, but expanding our conclusions to new regions is limited by the location of facilities with fatality monitoring data.

Diseases of wild birds in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Doenças de aves silvestres no sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Necropsy protocols of the "Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico" of "Faculdade de Veterinária" of the "Universidade Federal de Pelotas" were reviewed, ranging the period from 2000 to 2018. Three hundred eighty one necropsies, 25 refrigerated and/or formaline fixed organs, and seven biopsies were received, representing 413 samples. Most of these materials were sent by the "Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre" of "Universidade Federal de Pelotas" (NURFS-CETAS-UFPel) and were from municipalities within the range area of LRD-UFPel influence. Of the 413 cases 55 (13.31%) corresponded to metabolic/nutritional diseases; 50 (12.10%) to trauma; 35 (8.47%) to bacterial diseases/toxi-infections; 30 (7.26%) to parasitic diseases; 28 (6.77%) to fungal diseases; four (0.97%) to viral diseases and 17 (4.11%) to other diseases. Cases where it was not possible to determine the etiology, were in severe autolysis or were inconclusive totaled 194 (46.97%). Metabolic/nutritional diseases and traumatic injuries were the main cause of death in wild birds', being Passeriformes the most affected order.(AU)

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos diagnósticos de causas de morte e de lesões em aves silvestres na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul de 2000 a 2018. Foram revisados os protocolos de necropsia e materiais de aves silvestres encaminhados ao Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas no período. Foram recebidos 381 cadáveres para necropsia, 25 órgãos refrigerados e/ou em formol e 7 biopsias, totalizando 413 materiais. A maioria desses materiais foi remetida pelo Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (NURFS-CETAS-UFPel) e provenientes de municípios da área de influência do LRD-UFPel. Dos 413 casos 55 (13,31%) corresponderam a doenças metabólicas/nutricionais; 50 (12,10%) a traumas; 35 (8,47%) a doenças bacterianas/toxi-infecções; 30 (7,26%) a doenças parasitárias; 28 (6,77%) doenças fúngicas; 4 (0,97%) doenças virais e 17(4,12%) outras doenças que não se encaixavam nas categorias. Ainda em nos casos em que não foi possível determinar a etiologia, apresentaram autólise acentuada ou foram inconclusivos somaram 194 (46,97%). As doenças metabólicas/nutricionais e lesões traumáticas foram as principais causas de morte de aves silvestres, sendo a ordem mais afetada a Passeriformes.(AU)

Predicting strike susceptibility and collision patterns of the common buzzard at wind turbine structures in the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany.

With the increase in wind turbines, bird collisions have developed as a potential hazard. In the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany, despite the on-going mitigation efforts of increasing the distances of wind turbines from the breeding areas of the more severely affected populations of red kites (Milvus milvus), the additional detrimental influences on the buzzard populations (Buteo buteo) have added to the challenges for wind power expansion. Using data on the regional distribution of the buzzards, along with their carcass detections around the wind turbines (WTs), we aimed to better understand their collision distribution patterns in relation to their habitat use patterns to predict their exposure to collision risk using boosted regression trees (BRTs). Additionally, we integrated the developed collision potential map with the regional density map of buzzards to identify areas of increased strike susceptibility in turbine installations. Our study showed that the buzzard collisions were primarily concentrated at the turbines situated at sensitive distances from the edges of watercourses (>1000 metres), as well as those along the edges of grasslands (>750 metres), in the green open areas around/areas with minimal settlements (750 metres-1750 metres), and along the edges of bushlands (>1500 metres), together explaining 58% of the variance in their collision distribution. Conclusively, our study is applicable to conservation because it demonstrates the identification of potential collision areas along with the causes of the collisions, in addition to demonstrating the benefits of incorporating a species collision dataset as a proxy for species presence into species distribution models to make informed management decisions to eventually combat biodiversity loss.

Orthopedic Diagnostic Imaging in Exotic Pets.

Orthopedic diseases are a common problem in exotic pets. Diagnostic imaging modalities are more accessible and available in exotic animal veterinary medicine; the higher standards of care of the veterinary profession have progressed toward an increased offer of advanced imaging modalities. The literature on the use of diagnostic imaging modalities in orthopedic disease of exotic pets is scarce. This article discusses when to use the different diagnostic imaging techniques and reviews the imaging findings usually found in the most common orthopedic diseases in small mammal, avian, and reptile exotic pet species using different imaging modalities, especially radiography and computed tomography.

Fracture Management in Avian Species.

In treating avian species with fractures, the clinician must be prepared to think laterally and assess each case individually, taking into account the unique characteristics of the fracture, the temperament of the species and the individual, its lifestyle, and the desired outcome. All this should be considered during the decision making process, which should involve the owner or career of the patient. The clinician should aim for a result as close as possible to the original functional anatomy. The degree of perfection required for postoperative return to normal function is dictated by the species and the lifestyle of the patient.

Avian Skull Orthopedics.

Because the avian skull is the reflection of the wide biodiversity of birds, many anatomic, morphologic, and functional variations are encountered. The main objectives of this article are to review the surgical considerations associated with the functional anatomy of the avian jaw apparatus and its variation among species, and to describe the general medical and surgical management of head traumatic and developmental disorders in birds.

Wing Abnormality in a Wild-Hatched Whooping Crane (Grus americana) Chick from the Nonmigratory Population in Louisiana, USA.

We describe a wing abnormality in a wild-hatched Whooping Crane (Grus americana) chick from the reintroduced Louisiana, US nonmigratory population. Despite its seemingly compromised flight ability, the chick fledged, reached independence, and lived until 13 mo of age. Necropsy revealed an axial malunion near the left carpus likely resulting from trauma.

Skeletal Bone Structure and Repair in Small Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles.

Bone strength depends on its structure, its composition, and the forces it is subjected to. Bone structure varies greatly between species and these differences may have clinical implications in their assessment or treatment. Fractures occur when the magnitude of the sum of forces affecting it exceeds its ultimate strength. The aim of bone healing is to recover the normal structure of the bone to maintain its normal function, but the mechanisms of bone healing differ greatly among species. This article provides a basic reference for the bone structure of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Avian Articular Orthopedics.

In most avian species, luxations occur infrequently compared with other orthopedic conditions. A comprehensive review about avian luxations was published 4 years ago. The aim of this article was to review and describe from an orthopedic point of view the different types of luxations and subluxations reported in birds, their surgical treatment, and, whenever possible, the potential limitations and complications related with these procedures.

Retrospective Evaluation of Tibiotarsal Fractures Treated With Tape Splints in Birds: 86 Cases (2006-2015).

Tibiotarsal fractures are a common presentation in small bird species and anecdotally have been reported to carry a good prognosis with proper treatment, such as external coaptation. For this retrospective study, the medical records of 5 institutions were reviewed for tibiotarsal fractures diagnosed in companion birds weighing less than 200 g. A total of 86 cases met the inclusion criteria. Cockatiels ( Nymphicus hollandicus) (24/86) and budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus) (19/86) were the most frequently represented species. Median body weight of the birds included was 72 g (range, 16-182 g). Mid-diaphyseal (46/86) and closed (73/86) fractures with intact, deep pain sensation in the affected limb (69/76) were most frequent. A tape splint alone (79/86) or a tape splint in addition to an intramedullary pin (7/86) were applied in all cases. Median time to fracture stabilization based on palpation was 19 days (range, 7-49 days). In most cases (61/86), the initial splint applied was maintained until fracture healing was complete. A successful outcome was documented in 92% (79/86) of birds. Fractures caused by a dog or cat attack, birds presenting without deep pain sensation in the affected limb, and cases where the splint was removed before 14 days after fixation were associated with a significantly increased risk of complications, resulting in an unsuccessful outcome. The findings of this study indicated that a tape splint is an appropriate means for treatment of tibiotarsal fractures in birds weighing less than 200 g.

Veterinary forensic sciences to solve a fatal case of predation on flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus).

The present case study concerns a case of predation of 4 individuals of captive pink flamingo in Emilia Romagna Region, Northeastern Italy. The pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is a species included in the Red List of Threatened Species established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which lists species in danger of extinction. During the Winter of 2013, 4 flamingos (2 in the Comacchio area, and 2 from Argenta and Codigoro oases - Ferrara province) were found dead some of them headless, with their bodies severely bitten. At first, a fox (Vulpes vulpes) was suspected to be the predator responsible for the killing and the birds were taken to the laboratory for further investigations. The investigations included: field observations, study of the predator behaviour, necropsy examinations, assessment of the intercanine distance, and genetic analysis on the predator's traces. The intercanine distance indicated that the predator could not have been a fox. The analysis of salivary DNA samples enabled us to establish that the predator was in fact a dog. This case highlights the importance of co-operation among the various branches of forensic sciences and the great usefulness of the roles filled by other veterinary forensic experts involved in solving crime.