Parrots (order: Psittaciformes) are the most common captive birds and have attracted human fascination since ancient times because of their remarkable intelligence and ability to imitate human speech. However, their genome organization, evolution and genomic relation with other birds are poorly understood. Chromosome painting with DNA probes derived from the flow-sorted macrochromosomes (1-10) ...

Fire is an important agent of tree cavity creation and loss in some forest ecosystems. Even though cavity-bearing trees may be replaced over decades post fire, cavity-nesting animals depend on uninterrupted access to suitable nesting sites. Balancing the impacts fire availability recruitment cavities for wildlife important. We studied effects with nests Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parr...

—We studied the breeding biology of the Panamanian subspecies of the Yellow-crowned Parrot, Amazona ochrocephala panamensis, during 1997–1999 in the province of Chiriquı́, Panama, to provide basic information regarding the breeding behavior and reproductive success of these parrots in their natural habitat. We recorded parrot behaviors throughout the reproductive period, monitored nest success, ...

Recently, the lineage hTURDUS2 of Haemoproteus minutus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) was reported to cause mortality in captive parrots. This parasite lineage is widespread and prevalent in the blackbird Turdus merula throughout its entire distribution range. Species identity of other closely related lineages recently reported in dead parrots remains unclear, but will be important to determine...

OBJECTIVE To determine the degree of agreement between 3 commercially available point-of-care blood glucose meters and a laboratory analyzer for measurement of blood glucose concentrations in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). ANIMALS 20 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. PROCEDURES A 26-gauge needle and 3-mL syringe were used to obtain a blood sample (approx 0.5 mL) fro...

Cerebral lateralization refers to the division of information processing in either hemisphere of the brain and is a ubiquitous trait among vertebrates and invertebrates. Given its widespread occurrence, it is likely that cerebral lateralization confers a fitness advantage. It has been hypothesized that this advantage takes the form of enhanced cognitive function, potentially via a dual processi...

Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) solve various cognitive tasks and acquire and use English speech in ways that often resemble those of very young children. Given that the psittacine brain is organized very differently from that of mammals, these results have intriguing implications for the study and evolution of vocal learning, communication, and cognition. For 25 years, I have taught Grey pa...

feline strains from Italy and Australia grouped together, as did the P[9] strains from the United States. Thus, both the VP7 and VP4 genes of G3P[9] strain identifi ed in this study were most closely related to a racoon dog rotavirus strain (RACDG5), suggesting an animal origin of this rotavirus strain. These strains are likely an example of an animal strain causing limited disease in humans, r...