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Psittacine Circoviral (beak and feather) Disease

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Subject: Psittacine Circoviral (beak and feather) Disease
From: Carl Clifford <>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:54:42 +1000
Craig,

There have been increasing numbers of reports of birds with beak deformities in the Pacific North-West of Canada and the USA over the last 8-10 years. See: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/ landbirds/beak_deformity/index.html and www.fws.gov/contaminants/OtherDocuments/ Handel_et_al_2006_final_report_smFigures.pdf -

The extent of deformities in species such as Chickadees is amazing. The number of species reported so far is around 30. There appears to be a link to PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). It would be very interesting to hear from other birders as to whether similar deformities have been noticed. I certainly will be keeping a look-out for any in future.

Carl Clifford


On 14/04/2008, at 5:58 PM,  wrote:

Just observed a Sulfur Crested Cockatoo with minimal feathers, deformed,
cracked and huge beak, being chased by a cluster of Noisy Miners, Magpies, Currawong, Ravens and Butcherbirds. Very disturbing sight I must say, with
the bird looking so odd with its grey skin visible, bearing very few
feathers at all on the head or body, and with very few on the wings but
presumably just enough to ensure "flight".

At first I thought the bird was a raptor because of size and the response
of the Noisy Miners in particular: closer examination revealed one very
ill-looking Cockatoo who flew off in the direction of large roosting
colonies of Sulfur Crested Cockatoo and Corella in Blackbutt Reserve at
Kotara, a green forest oasis in a suburb nearby.

Anyone else witnessed/noticed the agitation reaction of other species to
infected Psittacines?

regards

Craig Williams
Newcastle NSW



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