Beurteilung der Haltungsbedingungen von Wellensittichen (Melopsittacus undulatus) und Nymphensittichen (Nymphicus hollandicus) in Deutschland

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel Um Einsicht in die Haltungsbedingungen der in Deutschland am häufigsten gehaltenen Ziervogelspezies Wellensittich und Nymphensittich zu erhalten, wurde im Rahmen eines Teilgebiets der EXOPET-Studie eine deutschlandweite Online-Befragung unter nicht gewerbsmäßigen Vogelhaltern durchgeführt. Material und Methoden Die eingegangenen 541 Fragebögen für Wellensittiche und 221 für Nymphensittiche unterlagen zunächst einer deskriptiven Auswertung. Anhand der im Zuge des EXOPET-Projekts von einem Expertengremium erarbeiteten Haltungsvorschläge wurden die Haltungsbedingungen hinsichtlich Vergesellschaftung, Gehegegröße, Einrichtung, Temperatur, UV-Licht sowie Freiflug beurteilt. Ergebnisse Die größten Abweichungen von den Empfehlungen bestanden bei Nymphensittichen wie auch Wellensittichen beim Freiflug (Mängel in 89,3 % bzw. 85,5 % der beurteilten Haltungen). Im Zusammenhang mit einem daraus resultierenden Bewegungsmangel ist die mit 26,4 % von Wellensittichhaltern am häufigsten genannte gesundheitliche Beeinträchtigung Adipositas zu sehen. 82,8 % der Nymphensittiche und 52,2 % der Wellensittiche wurden zudem in zu kleinen Käfigen bzw. Volieren gehalten. Die Möglichkeit des täglichen Freiflugs für ihre Vögel gaben 73,1 % bzw. 73,3 % der Wellensittich- und Nymphensittichhalter an. So erhielten 48,3 % der Wellensittiche und 34,0 % der Nymphensittiche pro Tag mindestens 12 Stunden Freiflug. Weitere beträchtliche Mängel waren im Bereich der Einrichtung festzustellen: Abweichungen von den Empfehlungen zeigten sich bei 77,8 % der Wellensittich- und 69,0 % der Nymphensittichhaltungen. Schlussfolgerung Um die mitunter besorgniserregenden Defizite in der Haltung von Wellensittichen und Nymphensittichen zu verbessern, bedarf es insbesondere einer Verbesserung der Halterkompetenz. Es erscheint zwingend notwendig, dem Tierhalter standardisierte Informationen zu der von ihm gehaltenen Spezies und zu deren individuellen Haltungsansprüchen an die Hand zu geben.

Disseminated coelomic xanthogranulomatosis in eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) and budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Xanthogranulomatosis is an inflammatory lesion characterized by lipid-containing macrophages, extracellular lipid, hemorrhage, and necrosis. We describe disseminated intracoelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 5 eclectus parrots ( Eclectus roratus) and 2 budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus). Postmortem, clinicopathologic, and historical case material was reviewed. Ages ranged from 3 to 24 years; there were 5 males and 2 females. Table food was included in the diet of 3/5 cases, and animal products were included in 2/3 cases. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities included leukocytosis (4/5 cases) and elevated concentrations of bile acids (3/4 cases) and cholesterol within 6 months prior to death (2/4 cases). At postmortem examination, all 7 birds had grossly visible, irregular, soft, tan to yellow, amorphous plaques distributed on the surfaces of the viscera and body wall. Histologic evaluation and oil red O stain revealed xanthogranulomatous inflammation with phagocytized and extracellular lipid, necrosis, cholesterol clefts, fibrosis, and mineralization. Infectious agents were not identified with special stains in all cases. Concurrent hepatobiliary disease was present in 6/7 cases, and 6/7 had lipid accumulation within the parenchyma of various visceral organs. Five cases had atherosclerosis of great vessels. We describe a unique form of disseminated coelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 2 psittacine species. This condition should be recognized as a differential diagnosis in cases of disseminated coelomic mass formation and coelomic distension in psittacine birds, particularly in eclectus parrots and budgerigars.

Análise da influência do enriquecimento ambiental no comportamento de Periquitos-australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus, Shaw, 1850) (Aves, Psittacidae) mantidos em ambiente doméstico

Os psitacídeos constituem a ordem dos psittaciformes e dentre os seus representantes, encontram-se as cacatuas, papagaios, periquitos e afins, todas aves conhecidas pela sua alta capacidade de socialização e aprendizagem. A criação de periquitos-australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus) em âmbito doméstico está regulamentada desde 1998, entretanto, psitacídeos mantidos em ambientes pobres de estímulos podem desenvolver diversos desvios de comportamentos como automutilação e vocalização excessiva relacionados ao estresse. Desta forma, partindo da hipótese que o enriquecimento ambiental melhora o bem estar animal, objetivou-se com este estudo quali-quantitativo analisar a curto prazo a influência de um ambiente enriquecido sobre a atividade comportamental de um casal de M. undulatus sob cuidados humanos. O experimento consistiu de 30 horas de observações divididas em duas etapas, sendo a primeira com os indivíduos mantidos em ambiente sem enriquecimento ambiental e a segunda, com as aves em um recinto mais espaçoso e enriquecido com novos estímulos cognitivos. Os dados coletados foram anotados em planilha no Excel® e descritos em etograma. Observou-se que as atividades executadas pelos periquitos foram as mesmas nos dois ambientes, entretanto, notou-se significamente a diminuição da vocalização excessiva na segunda etapa, bem como a aceitação dos brinquedos oferecidos. Conclui-se que de modo geral, as aves observadas responderam positivamente ao enriquecimento ambiental ao qual foram expostas mesmo em curto prazo, diminuindo a frequência dos comportamentos inadequados, evidenciando que um ambiente mais espaçoso e melhorado pode ser um excelente aliado para promover o bem-estar animal de M. undulatus mantidos como animais de estimação.

The prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in a Veterinary Clinic in Vienna between 2000–2019

The aim of this clinical retrospective study was to analyse the prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). The role of T. gallinae in budgerigars as the cause of a typical clinical picture (young vomiting budgerigars) is clear; however, the frequency of latent and subclinical diseases in pet birds is unclear. Over the period of 20 years (2000–2019), 16 759 birds were examined, of which 5 256 (31.36%) belonged to the genus Melopsittacus (budgerigars). Within the 5 256 presented budgerigars, 2 547 (48.45%) were examined for trichomonads using a microscopic examination of a crop wash, and, of those, 978 birds (38.39%) were found to be positive for T. gallinae. Only 96 (9.8%) of the positive budgerigars showed typical signs of the disease, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss or anorexia. Unspecific clinical signs were seen in 312 (31.9%), while 570 birds (58.3%) did not show any clinical signs and had been presented for a routine check or other medical problems. Treatment using metronidazole (Anaerobex, Flagyl) was successful in 82–85% of these diseased birds. Trichomonads can be detected in over a third of budgerigars, even if less than 10% of the positive ones show clinical symptoms.

Multidrug resistant E. coli recovered from household reared female budgerigar pet bird (Melopsittacus undulatus) in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria: a case report

Background Pet birds are housed and reared exclusively for ornamental use. These include psittaciformes (parrots, parakeets, budgerigars, love birds) and passeriformes (e.g. canaries, finches, sparrows, also called songbirds). E. coli is a Gram negative bacterium. In birds, it is called Avian Pathogenic E. coli and is a causative agent of avian colibacillosis. Antimicrobial resistance is the process through which bacteria evade the activity of antibiotics. According to WHO (World Health Organization), antibiotic resistance is the result of indiscriminate use of these drugs which are used both in Veterinary and human medicine. Case presentation A one and half year old yellow female budgerigar pet bird (Melopsittacus undulatus) with patches of black and white on wings and back, kept as companion (one out of four) was presented dead at the avian clinic section of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. It was reported to have presented signs of anorexia and diarrhea for two days before death. Provisional diagnosis was colibacillosis. Intestinal samples were sent for microbial culture and sensitivity. The samples yielded growth of E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility revealed that the organism showed resistance to all tested antibiotics. Conclusions Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli constitutes a major public health concern. The constant interaction between household companion birds and humans gives room for disease transmission. Wild birds kept as pets or companions harbor pathogenic and zoonotic pathogens, hence a threat to public health.

Consumption of Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw, 1805) (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae) by Sapajus cay Illiger, 1815 (Primates, Cebidae) in Midwest region of Brazil

The interaction between native and exotic species can cause changes both in the food-chain and in aspects of competition for trophic resources, such as predation. Predatory events are common in nature, but difficult and usually recorded opportunistically. Here we present the first report of trophic interaction involving a species of exotic bird (Melopsittacus undulatus) and a species of native primate (Sapajus cay). Capuchin monkeys have already been recorded feeding on a wide variety of vertebrates, including frogs, lizards, birds, mammals, and even other species of primates. Although the record of the non-native M. undulatus in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul indicates a possible domestic escape, the record of predation may represent a beneficial trophic interaction for the ecosystem, preventing M. undulatus from becoming an invasive alien species. Studies are needed to assess what risks are posed by domestic species being preyed upon by native species.

Perkembangan Terkini Investigasi Gen Leptin pada Ayam: Ulasan

Perkembangan investigasi gen pengkode leptin (LEP) pada beberapa spesies golongan aves telah dilakukan secara mendalam selama kurun waktu 20 tahun. Ekspresi gen LEP pada genom beberapa spesies aves telah teridentifikasi diantaranya Falco peregrinus dan Falco cherrug, Pseudopodoces humilis, Taeniopygia guttata, Columba livia, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Picoides pubescens, dan Melopsittacus undulatus. Namun identifikasi genetika molekuler gen LEP pada ayam (G. gallus gallus) masih diperdebatkan. Perkembangan industri peternakan ayam lokal asli Indonesia tergolong pesat, namun masih memiliki beberapa keterbatasan salah satunya produktivitas ternak ayam lokal asli Indonesia. Pemenuhan kebutuhan pangan nasional salah satunya berasal dari sektor peternakan unggas khususnya ayam lokal asli Indonesia dengan kontribusi sebesar 23% per tahun. Peningkatan produktivitas peternakan ayam lokal asli Indonesia dapat dicapai dengan persilangan selektif. Persilangan selektif berupaya dalam meningkatkan mutu genetik ternak ayam lokal asli Indonesia dengan memberdayakan plasma nutfah ayam lokal asli Indonesia. Persilangan selektif memungkinkan dihasilkannya hibrida ayam pedaging dan petelur dengan karakteristik unggul sesuai dengan rancangan pola persilangan yang ditetapkan. Dalam proses persilangan selektif dibutuhkan penerapan genetika Mendelian dan molekuler sebagai panduan dan evaluasi arah seleksi guna meningkatkan efektivitas persilangan. Beberapa gen yang berpengaruh signifikan terhadap produktivitas ayam telah berhasil diidentifikasi, namun beberapa kandidat gen penting lainnya seperti gen LEP masih membutuhkan riset yang mendalam. Ulasan ini mengintegrasikan riset gen LEP pada ayam dari awal penemuan hingga terobosan terkini.