Radiology is an important diagnostic instrument in avian medicine, but standard measurement ranges for the objective evaluation of radiographs of birds are rare. To establish radiographic reference ranges for the critically endangered Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), we measured radiographic silhouettes of the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, proventriculus, and keel of the sternum on 29 radiographs taken under standardized conditions in adult and juvenile, clinically healthy birds. Ratios were determined for the proventricular diameter-to-keel height, the width of the heart to the width of the thorax, and for the "hourglass shape" (ratio of the width of the heart to the width of the liver). No significant differences were found between the sexes among the adult birds. Compared with adult birds, juvenile females had a significantly larger heart width (19.8 +/- 1.4 mm versus 21.2 +/- 0.7 mm), ratio of the heart width to the thorax width (0.86 +/- 0.08 versus 0.94 +/- 0.09), and horizontal width of the spleen (7.7 +/- 0.6 mm versus 8.5 +/- 0.4 mm). Results of radiographic measurements in the Spix's macaws were comparable to those published from other psittacine species. These reference ranges will facilitate a more objective radiographic evaluation of captive Spix's macaws.
This investigation evaluates the feeding and growth of 14 Spix's macaw Cyanopsitta spixii at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation from 2005 to 2007. The follow‐up period lasted for up to c. 6 months. The average weight of the chicks, the mean brooder temperature, the number of feedings per day, the formula fed, the ratio of the total amount fed per body weight and the number of regurgitating chicks per day were analysed. Four different feeding strategies (differences in feeding formula and amount fed) are compared with regard to the weight gain. Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were fed more restrictively than Group 1 and, therefore, reached a lower peak weight, although all four groups finally reached the same weight level around day 100. An association between non‐restrictive feeding and the number of regurgitations is suggested in the data set. All chicks survived and were weaned successfully. The investigation indicates the importance of a restrictive feeding strategy and individual control.
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