The crested caracara (Caracara plancus) eye: Morphologic observations and results of selected diagnostic tests.

PURPOSE: To provide a descriptive investigation about relevant features of the crested caracara's eye (Caracara plancus) and bony orbit, as well as provide data for ophthalmic tests. METHODS: Morphological observations and the following diagnostic tests were performed: Schirmer tear test (STT), conjunctival flora evaluation, corneal touch threshold (CTT), intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), B-mode ocular biometry, palpebral fissure length (PFL), and corneal diameter (CD) in 19 healthy birds, plus two macerated skulls. Not all birds were used for each test. RESULTS: STT: 7.84 ± 3.05 mm/min; CTT: 2.46 ± 1.10 cm; IOP: 19.18 ± 3.07 mmHg; CCT: 0.31 ± 0.02 mm; PFL: 13.32 ± 1.06 mm; CD: 10.26 ± 2.43 mm; Axial globe length: 1.89 ± 0.06 cm; Anterior chamber depth: 0.27 ± 0.06 cm; Lens axial length: 4.55 ± 0.06 cm; Vitreous chamber depth: 1.2 ± 0.07 cm. The most frequent conjunctival bacterial isolates were Corynebacterium sp. (10/23.8%), Staphylococcus sp. (9/21.42%), Streptococcus sp. (7/16.6%), and E. coli (7/16.66%). The large lateral part of the palatine bone likely plays a role in the ventral protection of the globe against the impact of prey. Observed results are generally reflective of increased body mass compared to other Falconiformes, with values approaching those of similar sized Accipitriformes. CONCLUSIONS: These data may help veterinarians recognize peculiar morphologic features and perform a more accurate diagnosis of eye diseases of this avian species.

Organochlorine pesticides in feathers of three raptor species in southern Brazil.

In this study, we determined the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in back feathers from three raptor species, Phalcoboenus chimango, Milvago chimachima and Caracara plancus. Samples were obtained from live animals and ten OCPs were detected: α-HCH, ß-HCH and γ-HCH (lindane), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate and p,p'-DDE. The concentrations found were higher than those reported in other raptor species, and C. plancus showed greater values than P. chimango and M. chimachima for all the substances. These differences may be justified by the species feeding habits and the characteristics of the sampling area, since C. plancus were sampled in an area with a higher concentration of agricultural crops and urbanized environments. In relation to the possible negative effects, four individuals of C. plancus presented DDE values related to sublethal effects for other species. This is the first study reporting OCPs in back feathers of these species in Brazil, and further studies evaluating OCP exposure and related effects are important for a better understanding of the consequences of different OCP concentrations on the health of these species.

Oral trichomoniasis in raptors in Southern Brazil / Tricomoníase oral em rapinantes no sul do Brasil

A retrospective study of oral trichomoniasis cases in raptors was carried out at "Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico" of "Faculdade de Veterinária" of "Universidade Federal de Pelotas" (LRD-UFPel) from December 2014 to August 2017. Seven necropsy reports were reviewed. All raptors including Falconiformes and Strigiformes orders were from periurban zones. Four birds were adults, and there was no apparent sex predisposition. Clinical signs included dysphagia, regurgitation, and anorexia. Gross lesions were characterized by multifocal yellow to coalescent caseous nodules adhered to the oral cavity, which extended to the entrance of the esophagus. Microscopically, the lesions were characterized by severe focally extensive heterophilic granulomatous stomatitis. Trichomonas gallinae was isolated in modified Diamond medium of all samples collected from birds. It is believed the transmission occurred by the predation of domestic pigeons (Columbia livia domestica) contaminated with T. gallinae that agglomerate in patios of grain processing complexes.(AU)

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de casos de tricomoníase oral em rapinantes recebidos no Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (LRD-UFPel) no período de dezembro de 2014 a agosto de 2017. Foram revisados os protocolos de necropsia encontrando-se sete casos. Os animais eram todos de zonas periurbanas e foram afetadas a ordem Falconiformes e a ordem Strigiformes. Das aves afetadas 4/7 eram adultas e não houve aparente predisposição por sexo. Os sinais clínicos incluíram disfagia, regurgitação e anorexia. As lesões se caracterizaram por nódulos amarelados multifocais a coalescentes aderidos a cavidade oral, que se estendiam até a entrada do esôfago. Histologicamente as lesões caracterizaram-se por estomatite heterofílica granulomatosa focalmente extensiva acentuada. Foi isolado em meio Diamond modificado Trichomonas gallinae de todas as amostras coletadas das aves. Acredita-se que a fonte de transmissão tenha ocorrido a partir da predação por estes rapinantes de pombas domésticas (Columbia livia domestica) portadoras com T. gallinae que se aglomeram em pátios de complexos de beneficiamento de grãos.(AU)

Mercury in the feathers of bird scavengers from two areas of Patagonia (Argentina) under the influence of different anthropogenic activities: a preliminary study.

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in food chains and is associated with adverse effects in both humans and wildlife. We used feather samples from bird scavengers to evaluate Hg concentrations in two different areas of Northern Patagonia. Hg concentrations were analyzed in feathers obtained from turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus), and southern crested caracaras (Caracara plancus) from the two areas of Northern Patagonia (Argentina): Bariloche and El Valle. Hg was detected in all the samples analyzed, but the concentrations can be considered low for the three species in both sampling areas. The mean concentration of Hg in Bariloche was 0.22 ± 0.16 mg/kg dry weight (d.w.) in black vulture, 0.13 ± 0.06 mg/kg d.w. in turkey vulture, and 0.13 ± 0.09 mg/kg d.w. in southern crested caracara; in El Valle, the mean concentration of Hg was 1.02 ± 0.89 mg/kg d.w. in black vulture, 0.53 ± 0.82 mg/kg d.w. in turkey vulture, and 0.54 ± 0.74 mg/kg d.w. in southern crested caracara. Hg concentrations in feathers were explained by the sampling area but not by the species. The concentrations of Hg contamination were comparable to those obtained in other studies of terrestrial raptors and aquatic bioindicator raptors. The species of the present study occur throughout much of North and South America. Thus, they may be appropriate bioindicators across the species' range, which is particularly useful as a surrogate, especially in distribution areas shared with endangered scavengers such as the California condor (Gymnopsys californianus) and the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus).

Aspecto médico veterinário legal das lesões em aves silvestres promovidas por colisões com aeronaves / Medico-legal veterinary aspect of lesions in bird strike

The objective of this study was to describe lesions in four birds, victims of collisions with aircraft, coming from the International Airport of Recife/Guararapes Gilberto Freyre, Pernambuco, Brazil. Contused wounds were predominant in birds in this study, characterized by the presence of fractures, bruises and hematomas and justified by the blunt action promoted by the type of vulnerant agent involved (aircraft). The analysis under medico-legal veterinary aspect of lesions in bird strike is essential, because in addition to the attempt to establish a standard for differentiating the aircraft lesions, it can guide the bird strike hazard management programs at airports, since the necropsy allows the identification of the species involved or at least facilitates the obtaining biological material for identification.(AU)

Etograma do Carcará (Caracara Plancus, Miller, 1777) (Aves, Falconidae), em cativeiro

Neste trabalho foi elaborado um etograma com base em observações comportamentais de seis carcarás (Caracara plancus), sendo quatro fêmeas e dois machos em cativeiro. As observações ocorreram no Parque dos Falcões localizado na Serra de Itabaiana, Rio das Pedras, SE. A identificação dos comportamentos foi realizada através do método ad libitum, com 12 horas diárias de observação (5 às 17h) totalizando 96 horas de esforço amostral. Posteriormente foram realizadas observações por meio do método animal-focal, para o registro das frequências e duração dos comportamentos, que resultou em um total de 70 horas de esforço amostral. Durante a pesquisa foram observados e descritos 25 estados comportamentais agrupados em cinco categorias. Receberam uma descrição detalhada com esquematização, sendo os comportamentos de descanso os mais expressivos.(AU)

In this paper an ethogram was produced based on behavioral observations of six southern "caracaras" (Caracara plancus), being four females and two males in captivity. Observations occurred in the Parque dos Falcões, located in Serra de Itabaiana, Rio das Pedras, SE, Brazil. The identification of behaviors was performed using the method ad-libitum, with 12 hours of observation everyday (5h to 17h), totaling 96 hours of sampling effort. Subsequently observations were made by the method animal-focal, to record the frequency and duration of behaviors, resulting in a total sampling effort of 70 hours. During the research were observed and described 25 behavioral states grouped in five categories, which received detailed description with schematization, being the rest behaviors the most significant ones.(AU)

Etograma do carcará (caracara plancus, miller, 1777) (aves, falconidae), em cativeiro / Etograma of the southern crested caracara (caracara plancus, miller, 1777) (aves falconidae) in captivity

Neste trabalho foi elaborado um etograma com base em observações comportamentais de seis carcarás (Caracara plancus), sendo quatro fêmeas e dois machos em cativeiro. As observações ocorreram no Parque dos Falcões localizado na Serra de Itabaiana, Rio das Pedras, SE. A identificação dos comportamentos foi realizada através do método ad libitum, com 12 horas diárias de observação (5 às 17h) totalizando 96 horas de esforço amostral. Posteriormente foram realizadas observações por meio do método animal-focal, para o registro das frequências e duração dos comportamentos, que resultou em um total de 70 horas de esforço amostral. Durante a pesquisa foram observados e descritos 25 estados comportamentais agrupados em cinco categorias. Receberam uma descrição detalhada com esquematização, sendo os comportamentos de descanso os mais expressivos.

In this paper an ethogram was produced based on behavioral observations of six southern "caracaras" (Caracara plancus), being four females and two males in captivity. Observations occurred in the Parque dos Falcões, located in Serra de Itabaiana, Rio das Pedras, SE, Brazil. The identification of behaviors was performed using the method ad-libitum, with 12 hours of observation everyday (5h to 17h), totaling 96 hours of sampling effort. Subsequently observations were made by the method animal-focal, to record the frequency and duration of behaviors, resulting in a total sampling effort of 70 hours. During the research were observed and described 25 behavioral states grouped in five categories, which received detailed description with schematization, being the rest behaviors the most significant ones.

Intraocular pressure and its correlation with blood gas parameters in crested caracaras (Caracara plancus) anesthetized with isoflurane and sevoflurane / Pressão intra-ocular e sua correlação com parâmetros hemogasométricos em caracarás (Caracara plancus) anestesiados com isofluorano e sevofluorano

The intraocular pressure (IOP) and its correlations with arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) and arterial pH were studied in five crested caracaras (Caracara plancus) anesthetized with isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEV). Baseline IOP values were measured in both eyes (M0). Brachial artery was previously catheterized to obtain blood gas and cardiorespiratory analysis. Anesthesia was induced with 5 percent ISO and maintained with 2.5 percent for 40 minutes. IOP measurements and blood samples were evaluated in different moments until the end of the procedure. After recovering, a second anesthesia was induced with 6 percent SEV and maintained with 3.5 percent. Parameters were evaluated at the same time points of the previous procedure. IOP reduced significantly (P= 0.012) from M0 at all time points and no significative changes were observed between ISO and SEV anesthesias. Correlation between IOP and PaCO2 and between PIO and blood pH were found only for SEV. IOP and blood pH decreased in parallel with IOP, whereas values of PaCO2 increased in caracaras anesthetized with isoflurane and sevoflurane.

Avaliou-se a pressão intra-ocular (PIO) e estimaram-se as correlações entre PIO e pressão de dióxido de carbono (PaCO2) e pH arterial de cinco caracarás (Caracara plancus), anestesiados com isofluorano (ISO) ou sevofluorano (SEV). Valores basais da PIO foram aferidos em ambos os olhos (M0). Cateterizou-se previamente a artéria braquial para obtenção de parâmetros hemogasométricos e cardiorrespiratórios. Anestesia foi induzida com ISO a 5V por cento e mantida por 40 minutos com 2,5V por cento. PIO e amostras de sangue foram avaliadas em diferentes momentos até o final do procedimento. Após recuperação, uma segunda anestesia foi realizada com SEV a 6 por cento e mantida com 3,5 por cento. Os parâmetros foram aferidos nos mesmos momentos estabelecidos previamente. A PIO decresceu significativamente (P=0,012) de M0 em todos os momentos e não houve diferença estatística entre ISO e SEV. Correlações significativas entre PIO e PaCO2 e entre PIO e pH sangüíneo foram observadas apenas para a anestesia com SEV. O pH sangüíneo decresceu paralelamente a PIO, enquanto a PaCO2 aumentou, em carcarás anestesiados com isofluorano e sevofluorano.