Tell, L. A., School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, USA, latell@ucdavis.edu
Ernest, H. B., School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, USA, hbernest@ucdavis.edu
DISEASES AND POPULATION HEALTH OF HUMMINGBIRDS: STATE OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH
Avian disease research has evolved in recent decades and provides valuable information about bird biology. Given their foraging behavior, migratory nature, and vast geographic distribution, hummingbirds are sentinels for environmental impacts of pollutants and pesticides. Identification of disease conditions that affect hummingbirds will establish indications of general health, provide key parameters necessary for population viability analyses and environmental risk assessments, and assist conservation efforts. While other avian groups have received significant research attention, hummingbirds have received very little. This paucity of information may be attributed to factors including the historical lack of bird-in-hand opportunities and challenges of collecting disease information from such small animals. Our goal was to evaluate existing scientific information on diseases of hummingbirds and provide recommendations for future efforts. We conducted a literature search for bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections and toxicologic conditions. We will describe our findings and outline a course for systematic evaluation of heath parameters and diseases. Identification of diseases impacting hummingbird populations is an essential step toward evaluating environmental and health challenges that impact fertility, behavior, population dynamics, and future population viability.
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vgl/wildlife/
Session #:S01Date: 04/16/09
Time: 17:30 - 19:30
Presentation is given by student: No