Health and Nutritional Status of Wild Australian Psittacine Birds: An Evaluation of Plasma and Hepatic Mineral Levels, Plasma Biochemical Values, And Fecal Microflora (Original Studies) (Report‪)‬

Abstract: To evaluate the health and nutritional status of 3 wild Australian psittacine species, plasma and hepatic mineral concentrations and plasma biochemical values were measured in wild-caught galahs (Eolophus roseicapilla), long-billed corellas (Cacatua tenuirostris), and sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita). No correlations were found between hepatic and plasma mineral levels. Mean plasma calcium (1.79 mmol/L [7.16 mg/dL]) and sodium (103 mmol/ L [103 mEq/L]) concentrations were lower, whereas mean total phosphorus (6.53 mmol/L [20.22 mg/dL]) and potassium (8.87 mmol/L [8.87 mEq/L]) concentrations were higher than values for captive counterparts. Plasma iron levels were higher than those reported for captive counterparts, with evidence of interspecific (sulphur-crested cockatoos, 109 [micro]mol/L [609 [micro]g/dL]; corellas, 57 [micro]mol/L [318 [micro]g/dL]; galahs, 90 [micro]mol/L [503 [micro]g/dL]) and temporal variation (galahs: May, 107 [micro]mol/L [598 [micro]g/dL]; July, 59 [micro]mol/L [330 [micro]g/dL]). Hepatic iron concentrations were as high as 1030 mg/kg. Interspecific variation was minimal in mean plasma selenium (11.8 [micro]mol/L [929 [micro]g/L]) and zinc (31.2 [micro]mol/L [204 [micro]g/dL]) concentrations. Plasma biochemical values varied significantly from reported reference ranges. Ranges for total protein, albumin, and bile acid concentrations were lower, whereas uric acid, glutamate dehydrogenase, amylase, and cholesterol concentrations were higher than those previously reported for these species, and interspecific variation was evident. Variation in measures of mineral status or plasma biochemical values between males and females were negligible. An evaluation of fecal microflora showed a distinct absence of gram-negative bacteria or budding yeast. Results of this study show that analyte values used to determine health and nutritional status of wild birds differ from those published for captive counterparts. Although analyte values appear to vary minimally by sex, distinct taxonomic and some temporal differences exist in values from wild birds of these 3 species. Key words: nutrition, plasma biochemical analysis, minerals, avian, psittacine, sulphur-crested cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, long-billed corella, Cacatua tenuirostris, galah, Eolophus roseicapilla