Coronaviruses (CoVs) are found in a wide variety of wild and domestic animals, and constitute a risk for zoonotic and emerging infectious disease. In poultry, the genetic diversity, evolution, distribution and taxonomy of some coronaviruses have been well described, but little is known about the features of CoVs in wild birds. In this study we screened 764 samples from 22 avian species of the o...

We examined the relationship between local water conditions (measured as the percent of total area of basins covered by water) and clutch size, egg volume, and hatchling mass of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Gadwalls (A. strepera) on four study sites in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota and Minnesota, 1988–1994. We also examined the relationship between pond density and clutch size...

The successful adaptation of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos) to a diet containing hypertonic saline as drinking water involves many complex changes in the excretory mechanisms of the bird (Fletcher & Holmes, 1968; Fletcher, Stainer & Holmes, 1967; Holmes, Fletcher & Stewart, 1968; Holmes & Stewart, 1968). These changes include modifications of the renal excretory pattern such that at least part o...

A PCR was developed and applied for the detection of Clostridium botulinum type C in 18 avian and environmental samples collected during an outbreak of avian botulism, and the results were compared with those obtained by conventional methodologies based on the mouse bioassay. PCR and mouse bioassay results compared well (100%) after the enrichment of samples, but PCR results directly indicated ...

Researchers have developed methods to account for imperfect detection of species with either occupancy (presence absence) or count data using replicated sampling. We show how these approaches can be combined to simultaneously estimate occurrence, abundance, and detection probability by specifying a zero-inflated distribution for abundance. This approach may be particularly appropriate when patt...

Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and grackles (Cassidix mexicanus) infected with muscle cysts of Sarcocystis were fed to opposums (Didelphis virginiana) and fecal sporocysts from the latter were given to sparrows (Passer domesticus, Family Ploceidae), canaries (Serinus canarius, Family Fringillidae) and ducks (Anas platyrhynchos, Family Anatidae). Asexual parasites were found in the endothelium of spa...

The spread of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in nature is intrinsically linked with the movements of wild birds. Wild birds are the reservoirs for the virus and their migration may facilitate the circulation of AIV between breeding and wintering areas. This cycle of dispersal has become widely accepted; however, there are few AIV studies that present cross-seasonal information. A flyway perspect...