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Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is a widespread and highly pathogenic virus in parrots. The disease typically presents with feather and beak abnormalities, along with possible immune system suppression. No cure or commercialized vaccine is currently available. Our understanding of the Psittacine beak and feather disease often comes from infected individuals with visible symptoms. Limited knowledge exists regarding the pathology and role of asymptomatic individuals in disease transmission. Asymptomatic individuals could shed the virus in their crop secretion, feces, or feathers. In this study, we investigated the temporal change in the viral load in feather and fecal samples from 17 asymptomatic Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) using qPCR. Our results showed that most of the individuals had very low viral load, while three individuals with high viral load at the beginning of the experiment were observed to exhibit a decreasing trend in viral load in both fecal and feather samples. Surprisingly, the viral load in an individual can drop from a high level to an undetectable level within three months. This suggests that BFDV infection might not be lethal or highly pathogenic for some individuals. We also showed that the viral load in feathers was higher than in feces.

Simple Summary: Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) poses a significant threat to parrots worldwide. This highly pathogenic virus causes feather and beak abnormalities and can potentially lead to immune system suppression. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this disease. Our current knowledge of Psittacine beak and feather disease mainly stems from studying infected individuals exhibiting visible symptoms. However, our understanding of the pathology and the role of asymptomatic individuals in disease transmission is limited. In our study, we aimed to investigate the temporal changes in the viral load in feather and fecal samples from 17 asymptomatic Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) using qPCR. Our findings revealed that most of the studied individuals had very low levels of viral load. Three individuals initially exhibited high viral load, but over the course of the experiment, their viral load showed a decreasing trend in both fecal and feather samples. Surprisingly, we observed that the viral load in one individual dropped from a high level to an undetectable level within three months. This suggests that BFDV infection might not be lethal or highly pathogenic for some individuals. Additionally, our study demonstrated that the viral load in feathers was higher compared to that in feces. Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is a widespread and highly pathogenic virus in parrots. The disease typically presents with feather and beak abnormalities, along with possible immune system suppression. No cure or commercialized vaccine is currently available. Our understanding of the Psittacine beak and feather disease often comes from infected individuals with visible symptoms. Limited knowledge exists regarding the pathology and role of asymptomatic individuals in disease transmission. Asymptomatic individuals could shed the virus in their crop secretion, feces, or feathers. In this study, we investigated the temporal change in the viral load in feather and fecal samples from 17 asymptomatic Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) using qPCR. Our results showed that most of the individuals had very low viral load, while three individuals with high viral load at the beginning of the experiment were observed to exhibit a decreasing trend in viral load in both fecal and feather samples. Surprisingly, the viral load in an individual can drop from a high level to an undetectable level within three months. This suggests that BFDV infection might not be lethal or highly pathogenic for some individuals. We also showed that the viral load in feathers was higher than in feces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "lovebirds" is often used to describe the loving behaviors and interactions between two romantic partners, but what specific processes distinguish these flourishing lovebird relationships from other committed but "numbed" relationships? The present study aimed to address this knowledge gap through the development and preliminary validation of the Lovebird Scale. The Lovebird Scale describes the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and habits that constitute and maintain relationship flourishing, which in turn could promote aspects of individual flourishing such as positive affect. We conducted three studies using data collected from 996 English-speaking U.S. adults (64.2% Female, M = 39.2 years old) who reported being in a romantic relationship for at least six months (M = 11.2 years). In Study 1, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factor structure. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses revealed a three-factor model nested within a higher-order factor representing lovebird relationships. In Study 3, we cross-validated the higher-order structure, examined the construct validity of the scale, and explored associations between the Lovebird Scale and affective state. Finally, we discuss how the Lovebird Scale contributes to the growing field of positive relationship science as well as conceptual and clinical implications of the scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term “lovebirds” is often used to describe the loving behaviors and interactions between two romantic partners, but what specific processes distinguish these flourishing lovebird relationships from other committed but “numbed” relationships? The present study aimed to address this knowledge gap through the development and preliminary validation of the Lovebird Scale. The Lovebird Scale describes the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and habits that constitute and maintain relationship flourishing, which in turn could promote aspects of individual flourishing such as positive affect. We conducted three studies using data collected from 996 English-speaking U.S. adults (64.2% Female, M = 39.2 years old) who reported being in a romantic relationship for at least six months (M = 11.2 years). In Study 1, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factor structure. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses revealed a three-factor model nested within a higher-order factor representing lovebird relationships. In Study 3, we cross-validated the higher-order structure, examined the construct validity of the scale, and explored associations between the Lovebird Scale and affective state. Finally, we discuss how the Lovebird Scale contributes to the growing field of positive relationship science as well as conceptual and clinical implications of the scale.

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This study showed the histological and histochemical difference between two bird types: European Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Animalia fischeri (Agapornis fischeri), respectively. The aim of this study was to explain the differences in histological and histochemical characteristics between two types of birds; these are European Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Animalia fischeri (Agapornis fischeri). For each part of the study this study was conducted on 12 birds (6 birds for each type) divided as three birds. Histological analysis found that the (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa) existed in all small intestine segments of each species. Various histomorphometric measurements of each tunica (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa) showed major variations. The goblet cells in all areas of Animalia fischeri's small intestine were more abundant than those in European Roller and the number of goblet cells in the tow group of birds steadily increased toward the end of small intestine. The number of these cells increases slowly towards the end of both birds' intestines. Histochemical study showed that the goblet cell was secret neutral mucin in nature in all intestinal segments because it showed negative reaction to Alcian blue stain and positive for PAS stain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Agapornis consists of nine small African parrot species that are globally well known as pets, but are also found in their native habitat. Illegal trapping, poaching and habitat destruction are the main threats these birds face in the wild. In aviculture, Agapornis breeding is highly popular all across the globe. Birds are mainly selected based on their plumage colour variations but very little molecular research has been conducted on this topic. There are 30 known colour variations amongst the nine species and most of these are inherited as Mendelian traits. However, to date none of the genes or polymorphisms linked to these variations have been identified or verified. Due to unethical breeding practices, the need for the development of molecular tests such as identification verification tests or species identity tests is growing. Future research is paramount to ensure the conservation of wild populations as well as aiding breeders in improving breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aviculture, lovebirds are considered one of the most popular birds to keep. This African parakeet is known for its range of plumage colors and ease to tame. Plumage variation is the most important price-determining trait of these birds, and also the main selection criterion for breeders. Currently, no genetic screening tests for traits of economic importance or to confirm pedigree data are available for any of the nine lovebird species. As a starting point to develop these tests, the de novo genome of Agapornis roseicollis (rosy-faced lovebird) was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. Sequencing was done on the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform and the assembly was performed using SOAPdenovo v2.04. The genome was found to be 1.1 Gb in size and 16,044 genes were identified and annotated. This compared well with other previously sequenced avian genomes, such as the chicken, zebra finch, and budgerigar. To assess genome completeness, the number of benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs were identified in the genome. This was compared to other previously assembled avian genomes and the results indicated that the genome will be useful in the development of genetic screening tests to aid lovebird breeders in selecting breeding pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilian's Lovebird Agapornis lilianae is a small, near-threatened parrot resident in mopane Colophospermum mopane woodlands. We investigated its diet and foraging behaviour in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. We expected that Lilian's Lovebirds would show little specialisation for a particular food source but generally feed on available seeds, fruits, flowers and other items as observed in other lovebirds. Lilian's Lovebirds fed on 30 different plant species. Lilian's Lovebirds were observed feeding in six habitat types in Liwonde National Park and adjacent areas during the wet season, and four in the dry season. In the wet season lovebirds (23% of observations) foraged in grassy wetland (dambo) areas the most, whilst in the dry season they foraged in grasslands with tree cover (18%) the most. In mopane woodland, foraging flock sizes differed significantly between the wet (mean = 19.8 ± 1.0 lovebirds) and dry season (mean = 33.6 ± 2.3 lovebirds). Grass seeds were lovebirds’ main food source from December to June. The nutritional analysis of preferred foods showed that grass seeds have a relatively high protein and energy content. Grass seed availability is reduced with savanna burning and so early season burning (before May-June) in areas in and outside the park is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weavers build domed, long-lasting nests that may also be adopted by other species for breeding, probably reducing the energetic costs of nest building to varying degrees. In an extensive literature search, 57 species were found to have at least one record of adopting a weaver nest. There is one known obligate nest user, the Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus. Four species were classed as near obligate nest adopters. Four species were listed as common, 10 as occasional, and 38 species as rare nest adopters. Other than the falcon and lovebirds Agapornis species, these nest adopters are passerines. Of the 57 species of nest adopters, 35 species had confirmed eggs and/or chicks found in the weaver nests. Most nest adopter species were in the Estrildidae family (20 species), with three estrildids classed as near obligates. This was followed by the Muscicapidae family, species that build cup nests. By building their cup nests inside weaver nests, there is likely protection from adverse weather and predators. Overall, there appeared to be a large diversity of nest adopter species for the traditional savanna living weavers (Ploceus, Bubalornis, Anaplectes, Plocepasser and Philetairus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, exotic birds have a high demand on the market; requiring care in general not too complicated, birds are a good choice for animal lovers, especially children. This paper presents the treatments carried out in diseases found in canaries, Amazon parrots, Agapornis (lovebird), parakeets, nymphs, Australian zebras. The study was partially conducted in a singing canaries farm located in Voluntari, Ilfov County; the farm includes 250 birds, grouped by age, sex and physiological status. The second part of the study was performed in Clinics of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, by examining the cage birds that presented to consultation. Bacterial diseases were the most commonly found in canaries - a respiratory infection and 3 cases of bacterial enteritis. Antibiotherapy with Adeno-Coli-Mix product (amoxicillin, colistin sulphate, nitrofurazone) has been successfully used in canaries diagnosed with colibacilosis. In the 2 cases of cage birds diagnosed with enteritis, Enroxil product was used. Traumatic disorders caused by accidents inside the cage disappeared after implementing measures of birds' insulation into smaller spaces in order to avoid additional effort and drug therapy with Metacam. Stress disorders and nutritional deficiencies were represented by feathers consumption, massive moulting and a case of stress adaptation; therapy aimed at correcting the diet and supplementation with vitamin products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to give an all-inclusive summary of the paramount factors influencing the breeding performance of lovebird Agapornis pullaria using hypothetical and experimental evidence provided in different literature and its influence on nestling success, and survival rate. Breeding performance simply refers to clutch size, hatching success, and nestling quality. However, age, Brood parasitism, clutch size, availability of food, human activities and microclimate influences breeding performance of the said species. Understanding the systems which pivot breeding performance in lovebird is fundamental to conservation. Therefore it becomes imperative for future researchers to examine the role of microclimate on hatchability of lovebirds in the wild as cavity nesting birds and the use of analytical models in determining the breeding performance of wild populations should be incorporated to stimulate better habitat management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the anatomical and histological structure of the salt glands in territorial lovebirds (Agapornis taranta). In this study used (15) adult birds, which divided in tow groups, the first group contains (5) birds used for anatomical study includes positon, shape, segmentation, weight and width. The second group includes (10) other birds used for histological study. Two types of stains were used. This study revealed that the lovebirds owns a pair of salt glands, It is well advanced located (left and right), anatomically the salt glands of lovebirds are situated in the supra orbital grooves of the frontal bones and covered by thine connective tissue membrane. The salt glands appear as crescent shape or narrow oval shape with anterior pointed part and posterior broad part. The mean weight (0.25 ) gm. Its mean length gland (2.8 mm and the mean width are (0.26 ) mm. Histological examination revealed that the functional unit of the salt gland in form of secretory lobule which is represented a tubular structure that radiate around a central canal that drain in a mine duct which is lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium and leads to collecting duct that leads to anterior of the nasal cavity.

Monitoring abundance of threatened species is important for conservation planning. Lilian’s LovebirdAgapornis lilianaeis a near-threatened small parrot found in mopaneColophospermum mopanewoodland. Its population has not been investigated in any part of its range. We investigated the abundance and density of the Lilian’s Lovebird in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Both distance sampling (line and point transects) methods and total counts (waterhole and flyway counts) were applied. The point count method gave very low numbers and was discontinued after the first year. Line transects conducted during the wet season had the highest density estimates of 17 ± 4.8 lovebirds km−2 of mopane woodland. However, number of observations per transect in each year were low. Waterhole counts had the lowest density estimates (10 ± 3.5 lovebirds km−2). Flyway counts gave an intermediate estimate (13 ± 3.0 lovebirds km−2). The total population of Lilian’s Lovebirds in Liwonde National Park is therefore estimated to be about 4 000 individuals. The use of line transect counts at the end of the rainy season is recommended for continued monitoring of Lilian’s Lovebirds abundance in Liwonde National Park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of this study were to estimate the prevalence of feather picking (FP) in Italian pet parrots and evaluate the risk factors and possible ethological correlation. A web survey was created and addressed to owners of all species of companion parrots, distributed through on line parrots association websites, social networks and by mail. The survey was available for compilation from June to October 2014. In 292 compiled surveys, 20 different parrots genera were indicated;Psittacusspp. (24.3%),Agapornisspp. (19.5%),Nymphicus hollandicus(18.0%) andAmazonaspp. (9.0%) were the most represented species. Our study showed a FP prevalence of 17.5%, with the highest prevalence inAgapornisspp. (26.3%) andPsittacusspp. (22.5%). Living with other parrots was positively associated to FP (p < 0.05), such as being fed in neonatal age and weaned by the breeder and not by the final owner (p < 0.001). Moreover, 2.9% of non-FP parrots and 10.0% of FP parrots lived always caged (p = 0.06). A significant difference in the feather picking site was detected (p < 0.001). The most affected body region was the chest (58.8%), followed by the rump (41.2%) and under wing regions (25.4%). At the same time, we conducted another study to better understand some information from the hand-raised parrots through a comparison with the parent-raised parrots. We recorded 1488 parent-raised parrots, and only 1.3% were affected by feather loss. This finding confirm that FP is be considered a multi-factorial behavioral pathology in which factors of different origin may cause behavioral disorders associated to self-injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lilian's LovebirdAgapornis lilianaeis a non-excavating cavity user of mopaneColophospermum mopanewoodlands. We investigated roost characteristics of Lilian's Lovebirds in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. We quantified tree and roost site variables for roost and non-roost trees. Sixty-six roosts were found. Roosts were in large tall mopane trees with a mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of 57.4 ± 1.64 cm, a mean height of 16.5 ± 0.42 m, and with a mean cavity entrance height of 10.0 ± 0.05 m. Non-roost areas had significantly smaller trees (mean dbh = 39.4 ± 1.72 cm). Human disturbance was low in both areas, but browsing of African elephantLoxodonta africanawas evident by large areas of stunted mopane woodland recorded in non-roost areas. We recommend that the current Liwonde National Park vegetation map be updated to highlight areas of stunted mopane woodland unsuitable for Lilian's Lovebird roosts. The impact of elephant browsing on large mopane trees should be assessed to understand its impact on the availability of suitable cavities for lovebirds and other tree cavity reliant vertebrate species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sarcoma developing in association with a metallic orthopedic procedure is an uncommon but well-recognized complication in mammals. We report on a synovial sarcoma that developed at the site of an intramedullary pin after surgery to treat a bone fracture. A 17-year-old female peach-faced lovebird ( Agapornis roseicollis) developed a spherical mass on the distal right dorsal wing at a site that was previously fractured and surgically repaired with an indwelling intramedullary pin. The right wing was amputated at the scapulohumeral joint. One year later, the bird died. Postmortem examination revealed metastases in the right lung, left thoracic wall, and proventricular serosa. Histologically, the tumor had a characteristic biphasic pattern. The tumor was immunohistologically and ultrastructurally identified as a synovial sarcoma. This is the first report of a suspected fracture-associated sarcoma in a bird. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal flying animals such as birds depend primarily on vision to coordinate their flight path during goal-directed flight tasks. To extract the spatial structure of the surrounding environment, birds are thought to use retinal image motion (optical flow) that is primarily induced by motion of their head. It is unclear what gaze behaviors birds perform to support visuomotor control during rapid maneuvering flight in which they continuously switch between flight modes. To analyze this, we measured the gaze behavior of rapidly turning lovebirds in a goal-directed task: take-off and fly away from a perch, turn on a dime, and fly back and land on the same perch. High-speed flight recordings revealed that rapidly turning lovebirds perform a remarkable stereotypical gaze behavior with peak saccadic head turns up to 2700 degrees per second, as fast as insects, enabled by fast neck muscles. In between saccades, gaze orientation is held constant. By comparing saccade and wingbeat phase, we find that these super-fast saccades are coordinated with the downstroke when the lateral visual field is occluded by the wings. Lovebirds thus maximize visual perception by overlying behaviors that impair vision, which helps coordinate maneuvers. Before the turn, lovebirds keep a high contrast edge in their visual midline. Similarly, before landing, the lovebirds stabilize the center of the perch in their visual midline. The perch on which the birds land swings, like a branch in the wind, and we find that retinal size of the perch is the most parsimonious visual cue to initiate landing. Our observations show that rapidly maneuvering birds use precisely timed stereotypic gaze behaviors consisting of rapid head turns and frontal feature stabilization, which facilitates optical flow based flight control. Similar gaze behaviors have been reported for visually navigating humans. This finding can inspire more effective vision-based autopilots for drones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilian's LovebirdAgapornis lilianaeis regarded as a mopaneColophospermum mopanewoodland specialist. Its global population is sparse and is spread along the Zambezi valley with little known about its current distribution and status. We explored the current distribution of Lilian's Lovebird in Malawi, and in particular focused on the distribution and habitat associations of the largest resident population in Liwonde National Park (LNP). Local birders and tourist guides provided distribution information from across Malawi. Transect walks were conducted to collect data in LNP. Five new atlas records are reported; three were within 40–56 km of the LNP population and two were over 150 km south and north of LNP, respectively. One of the sites is about 66 km from the Lilian's Lovebird population in Luangwa Valley, Zambia. New national records were evidence of the importance of seasonal movements to the species. Lilian's Lovebirds occurred throughout LNP with the highest abundance in the central section. Seasonal movements to areas outside the park were also recorded. A variety of vegetation types were used by the lovebirds, but the strongest habitat associations were with seasonally wet grasslands and not mopane woodlands as would be expected. Thus, conservation efforts should also include these other habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first molecular and morphological study of the insufficiently known Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swindernianus of West and Central Africa indicates that this species is the sister taxon of all the remaining Agapornis parrots. The systematic position of the Grey-headed Lovebird A. canus could not be convincingly resolved by the sequence analysis of the cytochrome b gene, but morphological characters support earlier assumptions that this species forms a clade with the Red-faced and the Black-winged Lovebird, A. pullarius and A. taranta. The new phylogeny of Agapornis presented here suggests that the last common ancestor of lovebirds originated on the African continent, and that it was a more arboreal forest-dweller, probably with a preference for small fruit seeds. Thus, a preference to more open woodlands and a change to a more granivorous diet must have evolved after the split of the lineages leading to A. swindernianus and all the remaining lovebird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cage birds can harbor human pathogens and contribute to the transmission and spread of drug resistant infectious agents to human. Since many people are interested in keeping cage birds, present study was conducted in cage birds from Shahrekord to investigate the beta- lactam antibiotics resistant E. coli and molecular detection of E. coli O157:H7 that is responsible for outbreaks of human intestinal diseases and fatal haemolytic-uraemic syndrome worldwide. Materials and methods: Altogether 256 samples of cage birds (lovebirds, quails, nightingales, parrots, mynahs, goldfinchs, finches, kingbirds, peacocks, and pheasants) faeces were collected with sterile cotton swabs from different areas of Shahrekord, Iran. Swabs were placed directly into Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB). In the laboratory, samples were streaked onto MacConkey agar and also Sorbitol MacConkey agar as selective plating media. Then, antibiogram tests were performed using disc diffusion method. Suspected colonies to E. coli O157:H7 were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: E. coli was isolated from 31 (12.1%) out of 256 the samples. Resistance of isolates to Imipenem, Cefotaxime, Cefixime, Cefalexin, Amoxicillin, Penicillin G and Oxacillin was 0, 3.2, 16.1, 90.3, 100, 100 and 100% respectively. E. coli O157:H7 was not found in any samples. Discussion and conclusion: Although cage birds were not sourcee or carriers of E. coli O157:H7 in the studied region, they harbored beta-lactam antibiotics resistant E. coli and could be an important component of drug-resistant infections transmission from cage-birds to human, especially to kids and can pose a potential risk to human health. For this reason, it is recommended to make pet birds owners and general public aware of potential dangers of cage bird keeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the bioacoustic structure of the alarm calls of five species of African lovebirds, genus Agapornis (A. roseicollis, A. lilianae, A. nigrigenis, A. personatus and A. fischeri). The calls were analysed for interspecific and gender differences. The calls comprised a series of rapidly-repeated elements composed of several harmonics. The eleven temporal and sound frequency parameters showed significant differences among the species and between the sexes. Principal components and cluster analyses demonstrated that species belonging to the same taxon grouped together by their call characters. The alarm calls differed between species and were used to construct an acoustic phylogeny that matched the accepted genetic and morphological phylogenies. Agapornis roseicollis is a close relative of the white-eye-ring species, with lilianae–nigrigenis and personatus–fischeri clustering together as sibling species, as proposed by genetic, morphological and behavioural characteristics. Reversed sex differences in call parameters were associated with reversed body size differences between the sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 25 years ago the ten species of Poicephalus parrots have been among the least known parrots,both in the wild and in captivity. They have then been kept only in small numbers in the zoos and were – with the exception of Senegal- (Poicephalus senegalus) and Meyers Parrots (P. meyeri) – also rare in private collections. Meanwhile several field studies in East- and South-Africa have been conducted and private breeding programmes have been set up in Danmark, Germany and the Netherlands. So the captive populations in Europe have increased and most species (with the exception of the non-imported P. crassus and P. flavifrons) have been bred in respectable numbers. In the last decade the author was successful in breeding four of the eight imported species (P. senegalus, meyeri, gulielmi and cryproxanthus,) gives details on keeping and breeding, problems with raising the chicks, the co-housing with Agapornis parrots and summarizes present-day keeping guidelines for Poicephalus parrots. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A 12-year-old female black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) with a cobalt color mutation was presented for self-mutilation of a mass located on the right lateral neck. Cytologic evaluation of the soft tissue mass revealed a predominance of poorly stained mast cells with metachromatic intracytoplasmic granules. The presumptive diagnosis was cutaneous mast cell tumor. Clinical evaluation, results of a complete blood cell count and biochemical analysis, and radiographs did not reveal systemic manifestation of mast cell disease. The mass was surgically resected, but surgical margins were limited because of the location of the mass and the small size of the patient. The lovebird died the day after surgery. Gross postmortem examination revealed splenomegaly, multifocal pinpoint white nodules throughout the liver parenchyma, severe thickening and yellow coloration of the great vessels, and pale pink swelling of the caudal right kidney. Histopathologic analysis of the resected mass revealed sheets of round cells that contain metachromatic granules, defined as neoplastic mast cells, within a fine fibrovascular stroma. Similar neoplastic cells were seen in the right kidney, hepatic sinusoids, splenic pulp, periovarian connective tissue, and bone marrow. The histopathologic diagnosis was a cutaneous mast cell tumor and disseminated mast cell disease, or mastocytosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a cutaneous mast cell tumor and mastocytosis in a psittacine bird. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of chronic vomiting in peach-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) in Japan that were infected with avian genotype III. All of the birds presented with chronic vomiting and weight loss with enlargement of isthmi, narrowed proventricular lumens, and thickened proventricular walls radiographically. By light microscopy, Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 37 fecal samples of peach-faced lovebirds.

Abstract: Some observations on the socialization of five young Peach-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri) within an aviary group of seven adult birds are described. Group 1 consisted of two fledglings with a parent pair, group 2 included three fledglings with an unmated mother. Socialization and behavioural development of both groups are described and compared. In comparison with the Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) there are only few differences. They mainly concern the territoriality of the young parrots in and around the nestbox. Otherwise the three main phases (family phase, transitional phase, mating phase) are nearly identical and show only short differences in time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 5-year-old lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) was presented with scaly crusts around both external ear openings and exudate present around the left ear. The bird had been treated with ivermectin and enrofloxacin without success. A pure culture of Corynebacteriuin kroppenstedtii was isolated from both ears. After susceptibility testing, a treatment of an acetic and boric acid solution administered topically 3 times daily was prescribed. The scaly appearance disappeared after 14 days of treatment and Ckroppenstedtii could not be reisolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers essential bird observations gathered by the Field Observations Committee (FOC) for March-May 2008 in Florida. According to the article, the "Green Key Migrant Funnel" recorded nearly 4400 warblers which represent a moderate number. It is stated that the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) rarities reported include Red-necked Grebe, Red-billed Tropicbird, Black-headed Gull, California Gull, and Bullock's Oriole. It noted that significant exotic species were the state's first verifiable records of Common Shelduck and Ring-necked Pheasant, and the first breeding record of Peach-faced Lovebirds.

Abstract: We compared aspects of the thermal biology of two groups of small parrots, of similar body mass, each derived from a range of habitat types, varying in aridity, but indigenous to either southern Africa or Australia. By accounting for phylogenetic differences, we were able to question whether arid zone species have lower metabolic rates and greater thermal tolerances than mesic species in relation to the “pre-adapted” and “post-arrival adaptation” hypotheses. Four species of African lovebird (Agapornis) and four species of Australian grass parakeet (one Neopsephotus and three Neophema species) were investigated. The Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), Bourke''s Parakeet (Neopsephotus bourkii) and the Scarlet-chested Parakeet (Neophema splendida) were categorised as arid zone species, Fischer''s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri), the Black-masked Lovebird (Agapornis personatus) and the Elegant Parakeet (Neophema elegans) as semi-arid zone species, and the Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) and the Turquoise Parakeet (Neophema pulchella) as mesic zone species. Conventional and phylogenetically independent statistical methods yielded no significant differences in the basal metabolic rates of birds from different habitats or between the species assemblages from Africa and Australia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract  Chewing lice of the species Afrimenopon waar (Eichler) were collected from captive budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw) in Pakistan. This is the first record of amblyceran lice from this host. It is also the first record of the genus Afrimenopon from Pakistani region. The primary host species of Afrimenopon waar is the rosy-faced lovebird Agapornis roseicollis (Vieillot). The finding of A. waar on budgerigars is, most likely, a result of a contamination in captivity. Morphological variation and origin of these lice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding biology of the Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis was investigated in its natural habitat at three Namibian localities: Claratal, Hohewarte and Hans. The lovebird nests in colonies often shared by Sociable Weavers Philefairus socius. Birds nested in trees at a mean height of 3.8m, on telephone poles at 6.6m, windmills at 11.2m, and artificial nest boxes at 3.3m. Acacia erioloba and A. karroo were most often used for nest location. Nest tree habitats had low density vegetation with short (4m) trees, mostly A. erioloba, spaced at distances of about 10m. No specific nest entrance orientation was chosen. Birds obtained nest materials from the bark of small branches, branchlets from the tips of branches, twigs, sticks, leaves and thorns of trees, predominantly A. karroo, A. erioloba, Ziziphus mucronata and Boscia albitrunca. Nine colonies, comprising 20 nests, were monitored every four days to establish incubation and fledging periods. Rearing and fledging of chicks was found to be successful in eight nests. Measurements of 18 young from four nests were used to monitor growth rate. Nesting success was calculated at 0.1, following the revised Mayfield method. Mean clutch size at laying, hatching, and fledging was 4.42 ± 1.7, 2.26 ± 2.1 and 1.65 ± 2.1 (n = 20), respectively. There was no significant difference in mean mass, nor bill and tarsus length of young that hatched first or subsequently, but a Duncan test revealed a significant difference in mean mass of young that hatched first or fifth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight Rosy-faced Lovebirds from two study sites and four colonies in Namibia's Claratal and Hohewarte districts were tagged and their local movements tracked using radio transmitters. The birds' movements averaged 415.7 ± 391.3m in summer and 1 030.5 ± 1 068.6m in winter. There were marked seasonal differences in flight distances to feeding grounds, suggesting food resource scarcity in winter. The lovebirds preferred open grassland habitat with scattered shrubs where the most preferred diet, the seeds of Anthephora schinzii, was abundant. Home range areas varied, but averaged 0.59 ± 0.52km² and overlapped greatly. The birds were crepuscular and highly social, with a mean flock size of 7.3. The birds' movements averaged 415 ± 3.3m in summer and 1 030 ± 1 068m in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural diet of the Rosy-faced Lovebird in the wild was investigated from January-August 2004, at three Namibian locations: Claratal, Hohewarte and Hans. Foraging patterns, habitat use, daily feeding activities and preferred dietary species were investigated. The lovebirds fed on food items from at least 19 species, which included seeds, green and dry leaves, dry leaf stems, plant fruits and cattle and horse dung; they also ingested soil. Seeds of Anthephora schinzii were the most preferred food item. Ground-level flock foraging was dominant, with a mean size of 7.3 ± 8.9. The feeding lovebird flocks associated with flocks of doves, pigeons and weavers. The lovebirds were crepuscular and most (53%) foraging observations were recorded in open grassland with scattered shrubs of up to 10m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foraging behaviour and feeding ecology of the Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis were studied in Zambia. The birds fed on at least 39 species, and food items included seeds, leaves, flowers (especially nectar), fruit pulp, invertebrates, bark, lichen and resin. Terrestrial foraging was dominant, whereas arboreal foraging varied seasonally and in relation to availability. Food preferences were varied and there was no dependence on a limiting or particular food resource. Foraging activity peaked in early morning and late afternoon. Foraging flocks normally comprised solely Black-cheeked Lovebirds but 40 different bird species were recorded feeding with the lovebirds at different times. Flocks favoured certain locations to for-age but their clumped distribution within a highly localised range did not appear to be correlated with food resources. Implications of feeding ecology for conservation management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nest-site characteristics and breeding biology of the Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis in their natural habitat and in captivity were investigated as part of a wider study of the ecology of the species. Seventy-eight nests were found. Black-cheeked Lovebirds nested inside naturally formed cavities in live Mopane trees Colophospermum mopane, in localities which were used for roosting during the non-breeding season. Nest-site fidelity was suspected. Most nests were found in a loosely clumped distribution. Nest-site characteristics including cavity dimensions, height from ground, distance to three nearest nest trees, cavity entrance orientation and nest shape are presented. No nesting requirement appeared to be limiting, or to affect the population's reproductive output. Reproductive data were necessary to elucidate factors affecting reproductive success and to assist with the development of a conservation management plan for this Vulnerable species. Breeding occurred from January to May, coinciding with annual maximum rainfall and the early dry season, when a single clutch was raised by most pairs. Nesting chronology was correlated with mean monthly rainfall and major food source availability. Behavioural data on nest building, location, defence and breeding success are presented. Courtship, copulation, parental care and juvenile behaviours are reported, and clutch size, laying intervals and hatching successes of captive birds are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past many discussions about possible toxic effects of vitamin K3 fed to pet birds arose frequently, and were published also in magazines for pet bird fanciers, in the internet as well as in veterinary journals. Therefore, the aim of this study was an evaluation of effects of different dosages of vitamin K3 on birds’ health when given orally for a longer period. These investigations were carried out with adult lovebirds (Agapornisspp.) fed a pelleted diet with different levels of vitamin K3 (menadione–sodium–bisulphite): control group 0 mg, group V1 20 mg and group V2 200 mg/kg diet dry matter. General condition and well being of the lovebirds were checked daily. Body weight gains as well as feed and water intakes were examined once a week. Every 2-month blood samples of each lovebird were collected and analysed. After a period of 6 and 10 months, respectively, four birds of each group were necropsied in order to carry out a pathological and histological examination. In general, the behaviour, feed and water intakes as well as quality of excreta were not influenced by ingestion of diets with different levels of vitamin K3. All variations were in physiological ranges. Individuals of all groups showed positive body weight gains and an active reproduction status. However, the best body mass (BM) development and egg laying activity could be observed in lovebirds of group V2 with the highest vitamin K3 supplementation. In the haemotogram some time-depending variations could be observed; however, a systematic influence of vitamin K3 could not be determined in any group or at any time. All analysed biochemical values in plasma and the activities of enzymes were within normal ranges. Only few birds of every group showed aberrant histological findings, but none of these could be related to the vitamin K3 intake. Moreover, no forced accumulation of vitamin K3 in the liver depending on vitamin K3 intake was found. This result suggests a rapid metabolism of the absorbed vitamin K3. All in all, the application of pelleted diets with addition of 20 or 200 mg vitamin K3/kg diet over a period of several months did not affect pet birds’ health. Given these results, any doubts about the compatibility of usual doses of vitamin K3 in diets for lovebirds must be considered as absolutely groundless. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), caused by Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), is the most significant infectious disease in psittacines. PBFD is thought to have originated in Australia but is now found worldwide; in Africa, it threatens the survival of the indigenous endangered Cape parrot and the vulnerable black-cheeked lovebird. We investigated the genetic diversity of putative BFDVs from southern Africa. Feathers and heparinized blood samples were collected from 27 birds representing 9 psittacine species, all showing clinical signs of PBFD. DNA extracted from these samples was used for PCR amplification of the putative BFDV coat protein (CP) gene. The nucleotide sequences of the CP genes of 19 unique BFDV isolates were determined and compared with the 24 previously described sequences of BFDV isolates from Australasia and America. Phylogenetic analysis revealed eight BFDV lineages, with the southern African isolates representing at least three distinctly unique genotypes; 10 complete genome sequences were determined, representing at least one of every distinct lineage. The nucleotide diversity of the southern African isolates was calculated to be 6.4% and is comparable to that found in Australia and New Zealand. BFDVs in southern Africa have, however, diverged substantially from viruses found in other parts of the world, as the average distance between the southern African isolates and BFDV isolates from Australia ranged from 8.3 to 10.8%. In addition to point mutations, recombination was found to contribute substantially to the level of genetic variation among BFDVs, with evidence of recombination in all but one of the genomes analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The comparison of the contents of nutrients determined in commercial hand rearing diets with the nutrient requirements of growing budgerigars and lovebirds estimated by the factorial method revealed satisfactory protein, lysine and arginine concentrations. Regarding sulphur amino acids, a number of products showed marginal methionine and cystine contents. Mineral contents generally met all requirements and were even excessive in some cases. Ultimately, the results gained in this study demonstrate that nestlings’ substantial requirements for sulphur amino acids for plumage development are often underestimated, while their calcium requirements in connection with bone mineralization are frequently overestimated. The primary obstacle to successful hand rearing, however, probably lies not so much in energy and nutrient contents, but rather – as revealed by first results of feeding trials with lovebirds – in the passage of the suspended diet through the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. crop disorders) and/or errors regarding feed quantities and feeding frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2-year-old male peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) with a subcutaneous sarcoma on the right carpus was treated by surgical amputation. Three months after surgery, lung metastases causing clinical signs of dyspnoea were diagnosed radiographically and subsequently the bird was euthanased. At necropsy, a tumour firmly attached to the right testis, kidney and lung was found, and several tumours were present in the lung parenchyma. Histopathology revealed a mesenchymal growth pattern in the carpal subcutis and lung neoplasms, and an infiltrating epithelial pattern in the abdominal one. Immunohistochemistry for muscle actin, keratin, neurone-specific enolase and chromogranin confirmed the different cell lineage of the neoplasms, thus leading to the diagnosis of a fibrosarcoma in the subcutis with pulmonary metastases, and a carcinoma of indeterminate origin in the cranial abdomen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]