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The beak and feather disease virus (family Circovirdae) is a virus of concern in the conservation of wild Psittaciformes globally. We conducted a PCR screening for the beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) using samples collected during previous field studies (1993–2014) in five populations of parrots of the Southern Hemisphere: Eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) and Crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans) from Australia, Burrowing parrots (Cyanoliseus patagonus) and Monk parakeets from Argentina (Myiopsitta monachus), and Forbes' parakeet from New Zealand (Cyanoramphus forbesi). A total of 612 samples were screened. BFDV was not detected in any of the sampled birds. Our results provide a retrospective screening, covering three different tribes of Old and New World parrots, including two of the most numerous species, and contributing a large set of negative results. Furthermore, our results suggest that geographical and temporal differences in BFDV distribution may exist and merit further research, as a critical component in the efforts to manage the disease and its epidemiological aspects. The results presented here hold the potential to provide a baseline for future studies investigating the temporal evolution and the spread of BFDV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild birds exposed to stressors may modulate their investment in immunity. We studied the leucocytes of breeding burrowing parrots ( Cyanoliseus patagonus) in Patagonia during five breeding seasons, during which global climate events such as a strong La Niña and a weak El Niño occurred. We observed strong inter-annual variation in the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes ( H/ L), with higher H/ L during the adverse conditions of La Niña compared with the favourable conditions of El Niño for the studied region. Nevertheless, highest H/ L were found in the breeding season following a La Niña event; this is probably explained by a combination of long-term detrimental effects of climatic conditions and other, e.g. biotic, stressors. Males had higher H/ L than females, and H/ L ratios were negatively related to individual body condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bright colours of parrots are caused by psittacofulvin pigments, which appear unique to this Order, and by structural colours. We measured red (psittacofulvin), green (mixed) and blue (structural) colours of wild burrowing parrots Cyanoliseus patagonus of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina, and measured nestlings regularly to obtain data on breeding success and nestling growth. As adult feathers are moulted outside the breeding season, adult body condition could not be measured directly during feather growth, and climatic conditions were used as an indirect parameter. The colony of burrowing parrots is surrounded by Monte steppe habitat, the breeding success has been shown to depend strongly on the climatic patterns. The area experienced a drought with very poor breeding success as well as a year of above-average precipitation during the study period, serving as a natural experiment. We thus analysed the variability of colouration within the population among and within breeding seasons. We observed strong inter-annual differences in nestling and adult colouration. Nestlings grew blue feathers with lower achromatic brightness during better conditions, and when controlling for year effects, nestlings with higher mass and from more successful families also had blue feathers with lower achromatic brightness. Adult blue feathers showed the same trend, with lower achromatic brightness in the moult following breeding seasons of better conditions. In contrast, during better conditions, adults grew red feathers with higher achromatic brightness and the colour hue was also affected, and the hue of the red region of nestlings varied with the hatching order. The colour of all three regions of nestlings varied between nests, and the colour of the red region of adult males positively correlated with breeding success (clutch size, brood size). In summary, the present data suggest that environmental conditions contribute to variability in both structural and the psittacofulvin-based colours of wild burrowing parrots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main ecosystem in northern Patagonia, Argentina, is the Monte, a semi-desert scrubland home to a high biodiversity. Monte is the most endangered ecosystem of southern South America, with an annual rate of clearance of the native vegetation estimated at 3.7%. Here we report the results of bird surveys carried out in the province of Río Negro, northern Patagonia. We surveyed four localities mostly dominated by the Monte ecosystem, between 1986 and 2010. Three localities are Important Bird Areas (IBAs): El Cóndor, San Antonio Oeste and Meseta de Somuncurá. The fourth locality is the Paso Córdoba nature reserve. We recorded a total of 263 bird species. The highest species richness was observed at San Antonio Oeste, followed by El Cóndor. Information regarding the period of occurrence and habitats are provided for all species and localities. Additionally, we indicated the cases in which breeding behavior was observed. This information is urgently needed for the evaluation of the consequences of habitat destruction and deterioration as well as for the success of intended remediation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The different leucocyte types are an important part of the immune system. Thus, they have been used in ecological studies to assess immune function and physiological stress in wild birds. It is generally assumed that increased stress and decreased condition are associated with an increase in the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes, the H/L ratio. We studied leucocyte profiles in relation to body condition in nestling Burrowing Parrots (Cyanoliseus patagonus) in North-eastern Patagonia, Argentina. As in other wild parrots, heterophils were the most numerous leucocyte type, suggesting strong investment into innate immunity. Leucocyte profiles did not change with the age, while nestlings in better body condition increased the number of heterophils. Because the number of lymphocytes was independent of body condition, as a result we observed a positive correlation between body condition and the H/L ratio. The total number of leucocytes relative to erythrocytes increased in nestlings in better body condition, indicating a larger overall investment into immune function in well-nourished nestlings. The observed heterophilic profiles of nestling Burrowing Parrots together with the positive relationship between H/L ratio and body condition may indicate a favoured investment in a robust innate immunity that reduces the risk of infection taking hold in these long-lived birds.