Passerines and other small birds

Becki Lawson; Dick Best

doi:10.22233/9781910443316.30

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , 421 (2016); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781910443316.30

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Passerines and other small birds

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Authors: Becki Lawson and Dick Best
From: BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties
Item: Chapter 30, pp 421 - 438
DOI: 10.22233/9781910443316.30
Copyright: © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: December 2016

Abstract

Small birds, especially young birds of the common peri-domestic species, form a significant proportion of the total number of wildlife casualties presented at rehabilitation units in Britain. Species covered include passerines and allied orders, including cuckoos, swifts, kingfishers and woodpeckers. This chapter covers: ecology and biology; anatomy and physiology; capture, handling and transportation; clinical assessment; first aid and hospitalization; anaesthesia and analgesia; specific conditions; therapeutics; husbandry; rearing of chicks; rehabilitation and release; and legal considerations.

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Figures

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30.2

(a) Nestling blackbird (Turdus merula). Nestlings will solicit their parents to feed them by calling and gaping their mouths to expose a brightly coloured mucosa. (b) Fledgling blackbird. Note the down feathers on the head and back, and the brightly coloured gape-flange at the commissures of the beak. (b, Courtesy of E Keeble) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.2 (a) Nestling blackbird (Turdus merula). Nestlings will solicit their parents to feed them by calling and gaping their mouths to expose a brightly coloured mucosa. (b) Fledgling blackbird. Note the down feathers on the head and back, and the brightly coloured gape-flange at the commissures of the beak. (b, Courtesy of E Keeble)

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30.3

Typical passerine beak structures: (a) insectivore; (b) omnivore; (c) granivore. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and are printed with her permission. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.3 Typical passerine beak structures: (a) insectivore; (b) omnivore; (c) granivore. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and are printed with her permission.

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30.4

Diagram to illustrate the topography of the foot in small bird species. (a) Most perching species have a typical configuration of the digits with three forward-facing toes and a single hind toe (anisodactyl). (b) Climbing species, notably woodpeckers, have the second and third digits facing forward and the first and fourth digits facing backwards (zygodactyl). Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and are printed with her permission. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.4 Diagram to illustrate the topography of the foot in small bird species. (a) Most perching species have a typical configuration of the digits with three forward-facing toes and a single hind toe (anisodactyl). (b) Climbing species, notably woodpeckers, have the second and third digits facing forward and the first and fourth digits facing backwards (zygodactyl). Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and are printed with her permission.

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30.5

(a) A standard rectangular breeding cage with a grille front (to which a heat lamp can be fixed), with solid sides, back and roof is ideal for small birds. (b) Fledgling thrushes (Turdidae) being hand-fed through the front grille of a breeding cage to avoid excessive handling. (b, © Secret World Wildlife Rescue) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.5 (a) A standard rectangular breeding cage with a grille front (to which a heat lamp can be fixed), with solid sides, back and roof is ideal for small birds. (b) Fledgling thrushes (Turdidae) being hand-fed through the front grille of a breeding cage to avoid excessive handling. (b, © Secret World Wildlife Rescue)

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30.7

Warty or tumour-like growths caused by avian poxvirus typically occur on the head (particularly next to the eye or beak) and less commonly on the legs, wings or other body parts. (a) Dunnock (Prunella modularis). (b) Great tit (Parus major). (a, Courtesy of R Stowell © Zoological Society of London; b, Courtesy of J Harper, © Zoological Society of London). © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.7 Warty or tumour-like growths caused by avian poxvirus typically occur on the head (particularly next to the eye or beak) and less commonly on the legs, wings or other body parts. (a) Dunnock (Prunella modularis). (b) Great tit (Parus major). (a, Courtesy of R Stowell © Zoological Society of London; b, Courtesy of J Harper, © Zoological Society of London).

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30.8

With chaffinch papillomavirus (CPV) infection, proliferative ‘spiky’ or ‘tassel-like’ lesions typically develop around the foot and digits, but can spread higher up the leg whereas, with mite (Cnemidocoptes spp.) infestation, excess grey scale often develops on the digits and leg. Coinfection can occur and it is not possible to diagnose the cause of the lesions based on appearance alone without further diagnostic tests. (© Zoological Society of London) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.8 With chaffinch papillomavirus (CPV) infection, proliferative ‘spiky’ or ‘tassel-like’ lesions typically develop around the foot and digits, but can spread higher up the leg whereas, with mite (Cnemidocoptes spp.) infestation, excess grey scale often develops on the digits and leg. Coinfection can occur and it is not possible to diagnose the cause of the lesions based on appearance alone without further diagnostic tests. (© Zoological Society of London)

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30.9

Passerine salmonellosis typically causes disseminated granulomatous infection, with lesions often present in the (a) crop (arrowed), (b) spleen (arrowed), along with the liver and caecal tonsils. For orientation a white star denotes the proventriculus and a white triangle the ventriculus (or gizzard). (© Zoological Society of London) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.9 Passerine salmonellosis typically causes disseminated granulomatous infection, with lesions often present in the (a) crop (arrowed), (b) spleen (arrowed), along with the liver and caecal tonsils. For orientation a white star denotes the proventriculus and a white triangle the ventriculus (or gizzard). (© Zoological Society of London)

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30.10

Syngamus trachea is a common nematode parasite of game birds, starlings and members of the crow family. It frequently causes clinical signs of partial tracheal obstruction. (a) Post-mortem examination of the trachea may reveal adult worms within the airways. (b) Syngamus trachea egg. The ova are readily demonstrated by direct microscopic examination of pharyngeal mucus and faeces (wet preparations or by flotation techniques). © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.10 Syngamus trachea is a common nematode parasite of game birds, starlings and members of the crow family. It frequently causes clinical signs of partial tracheal obstruction. (a) Post-mortem examination of the trachea may reveal adult worms within the airways. (b) Syngamus trachea egg. The ova are readily demonstrated by direct microscopic examination of pharyngeal mucus and faeces (wet preparations or by flotation techniques).

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30.11

Lethargic greenfinch with fluffed-up plumage and food adherent to beak: clinical signs often observed with finch trichomonosis. (© Zoological Society of London) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.11 Lethargic greenfinch with fluffed-up plumage and food adherent to beak: clinical signs often observed with finch trichomonosis. (© Zoological Society of London)

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30.12

(a) Redwing (Turdus iliacus). In severe winters, large numbers of redwings and fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) are forced further west across Continental Europe to the UK where, if conditions are no better, they suffer from starvation and may be admitted to rehabilitation units. (b) Juvenile carrion crows (Corvus corone) are frequently found in an emaciated state and showing lack of pigmentation to the plumage, especially the flight and tail feathers. (c) Fret marks or stress marks – transverse lines of feather malformation and weakness, assumed to be associated with periods of malnutrition or disease during the development of the feather. (b, Courtesy of G Cousquer) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.12 (a) Redwing (Turdus iliacus). In severe winters, large numbers of redwings and fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) are forced further west across Continental Europe to the UK where, if conditions are no better, they suffer from starvation and may be admitted to rehabilitation units. (b) Juvenile carrion crows (Corvus corone) are frequently found in an emaciated state and showing lack of pigmentation to the plumage, especially the flight and tail feathers. (c) Fret marks or stress marks – transverse lines of feather malformation and weakness, assumed to be associated with periods of malnutrition or disease during the development of the feather. (b, Courtesy of G Cousquer)

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30.15

Rearing a fledgling blackbird by hand. Cats commonly injure fledglings and this bird had a fractured radius, which healed with the help of masking tape to support the wing. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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30.15 Rearing a fledgling blackbird by hand. Cats commonly injure fledglings and this bird had a fractured radius, which healed with the help of masking tape to support the wing.