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Unraveling the Puzzle of Avian Bornavirus & PDD
Almost 30 years ago, macaw owners and their veterinarians saw a new disease in their pet birds, with muscle wasting and regurgitation. The disease also caused dilation of the proventriculus of the...
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Fall Pet Bird Health Check: Hormones & Respiratory Concerns
October is the time of change – particularly along the northern tier in the United States. It is a time of vibrant color changes in the trees and plants, the migration of birds, cooler temperatures,...
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Gobble Up These Fun Turkey Facts
I love Thanksgiving, in part because I am an avian vet and this is a bird holiday involving a very special bird – the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Wild turkeys are the heaviest of the poultry...
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The Miracle of Flight; Part I
We talk about miracles, particularly during the holiday season, but one that we as bird owners often marvel at is the miracle of flight! The adaptations necessary for birds to fly are considered among...
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See How They Fly
The Miracle of Flight: Part 2 In my last column, I discussed some of the unique features that help birds to fly — from hearts that pump five times their volume per second, to their respiratory system,...
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4 Easy Ways To Deter Breeding Behavior
February is the month of love and, with our parrots, love may be in the air depending on their reproductive cycle! Yes, parrots do cycle, and they tend to be reproductive during a certain time of the...
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The Female Reproductive System: Along Comes The Egg!
In my previous column, I discussed how we unintentionally stimulate our birds sexually and then we are stuck with a number of unwanted behaviors. It is also important for bird owners to understand...
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Why Birds’ Eyes Are So Different From Ours
Birds are highly visual animals with unique features and adaptations that allow them to fly. As they begin to migrate, they use visual cues to help guide them. Their eyes can change focus rapidly using...
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Liz Wilson: How She Helped Vets
“Liz Wilson-isms” I really can’t remember when I first met Liz — it was so long ago. Avian medicine was in its infancy, and we would attend meetings and hang onto every word. Those words would provide...
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Anatomy of the Avian Heart
Birds most likely evolved from theropod dinosaurs, while mammals descended from carnivorous reptiles, the cynodonts. Their differing lineage possibly contributed to the differences observed in the...
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Journey Inside The Hearts of Birds
The cardiac muscle fibers of birds differ from that of mammals in a number of ways. The M band of mammals consists of a line of proteins that connect adjacent myosin filaments and forms an observable...
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Parrot Feet
When we think of birds, we often imagine these fascinating creatures flying through the air. Yet, what goes up must come down. Let’s focus on birds’ feet, which allow birds to maneuver and rest while...
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The Bird Beak Inside & Out
The beak is derived from a cornified specialization of the skin and has the same components. The skin (epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer) of birds is generally thinner and more delicate than...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Female Reproductive System: Along Comes The Egg!
In my previous column, I discussed how we unintentionally stimulate our birds sexually and then we are stuck with a number of unwanted behaviors. It is also important for bird owners to understand the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why Birds’ Eyes Are So Different From Ours
Birds are highly visual animals with unique features and adaptations that allow them to fly. As they begin to migrate, they use visual cues to help guide them. Their eyes can change focus rapidly using...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Liz Wilson: How She Helped Vets
“Liz Wilson-isms” I really can’t remember when I first met Liz — it was so long ago. Avian medicine was in its infancy, and we would attend meetings and hang onto every word. Those words would provide...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Anatomy of the Avian Heart
Birds most likely evolved from theropod dinosaurs, while mammals descended from carnivorous reptiles, the cynodonts. Their differing lineage possibly contributed to the differences observed in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Journey Inside The Hearts of Birds
The cardiac muscle fibers of birds differ from that of mammals in a number of ways. The M band of mammals consists of a line of proteins that connect adjacent myosin filaments and forms an observable...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Parrot Feet
When we think of birds, we often imagine these fascinating creatures flying through the air. Yet, what goes up must come down. Let’s focus on birds’ feet, which allow birds to maneuver and rest while...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Bird Beak Inside & Out
The beak is derived from a cornified specialization of the skin and has the same components. The skin (epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer) of birds is generally thinner and more delicate than...
View Article