Piciformes

Question 1

Sinus anatomy of toucans

Answer 1

Baden, R. M., Guzman, D. S. M., Speer, B. L., Sokoloff, A. M., & Hawkins, M. G. (2019). Diagnosis and Treatment of a Swainson’s Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii) With Rhinosinusitis. Journal of avian medicine and surgery, 33(2), 155-160.

• Sinus anatomy of toucans is complex
• Infraorbital sinuses bilaterally connect to the nasal passages and surround each orbit with multiple diverticula.
• Maxillary and mandibular diverticula extend into the cavities of the maxillary and mandibular bill, respectively.

Question 2

Cause of neurologic signs in a population retrospective of woodpeckers?

Answer 2

Ziegler, L., Parmentier, S. L., Fischer, D., Heckmann, J., Klopfleisch, R., Kershaw, O., … & Lierz, M. (2018). Investigations into causes of neurologic signs and mortality and the first identification of Sarcocystis calchasi in free-ranging woodpeckers in Germany. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 49(1), 247-251.

However, there was no consistent finding in all birds that could explain nervous signs and mortality of the woodpeckers examined. To the authors‘ knowledge, M. gypis and S. calchasi were detected in a woodpecker for the first time in this study.
- Ddx for neurologic disease in wild birds:
o Sarcocystis calchasi - protozoal encephalitis and neuro disease in Columbiformes and psittacines, broader range of IM hosts suspected.
o Haemosporidian parasites i.e. Plasmodium spp, Leucocytozoon spp during seasons of vector activity.
o Mycoplasma gallisepticum assoc with increased incidence of trauma due to conjunctivitis and loss of sight in free-ranging house finches.
o WNV and Usutu virus reported in epidemics of neuro dz in wild birds.
o Avian bornaviruses in free-ranging parrots - ganglioneuritis and death.
o Pesticides – OP, carbamate, dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane may cause similar signs.
- 19 birds admitted alive with neuro signs – PE, rads, neuro exam. Rx fluids with vit B, NSAIDs, abx, antifungals. Half died, rest were euthanized and ultimately necropsied.
o 16 had traumatic injuries.
o 3 had S. calchasi – 2 in skeletal muscle, 1 in liver; first description in Picidae.
 Woodpeckers may be considered as a potential IM host, show similar signs to other birds i.e. pigeons.
o 1 bird had T. gondii with cysts in the brain.
 Some previous studies claim that woodpeckers are asymptomatic natural hosts.
o Mycoplasma gypis isolated from trachea of one bird, not associated with clinical signs.
o Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium paraputrificum cultured from intestines of one bird.
o E. coli cultured from heart blood in one bird.
o No birds tested positive for ABV, AIV, USUV, WNV, or hemosporidians.
o Tox examination showed no toxin, but small amount of pooled organ tissue available.
- Takeaways: No consistent cause for neuro signs in this population of woodpeckers, multiple factors. S. calchasi and M. gypis identified for the first time in this spp.