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A case of beak deformity in the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and a review on beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil

A case of beak deformity in the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and a review on beak... Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 212–217. SHORT-COMMUNIC ARA TICLE TION September 2019 A case of beak deformity in the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and a review on beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil 1,2 Keila Nunes Purificação Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brazil. Corresponding author: keilanunesbio@gmail.com Received on 02 September 2018. Accepted on 18 July 2019. ABSTRACT: Beak deformities in wild birds are rarely reported. Here, I described a case of beak deformity in Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis, and also provide a review on beak deformities recorded in wild birds in Brazil. In October 2016, I observed a M. bonariensis with a grossly elongated maxilla in the east region of the Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The literature review revealed 60 records of beak deformities in the Brazilian avifauna. The most common types of deformity were crossed maxillae or mandibles (38%), probable accidental injuries (27%), and elongations (15%). Deformities were reported in 35 bird species of 22 families. The most affected species was Ramphastos toco with 21 recor ds. The number of published reports from Brazil was low overall, and are not related as an epizootic episode recorded in some bird communities. KEY-WORDS: avian keratin disorder, beak abnormality, bill deformity, crossed beak, elongated beak. Beak deformities are rarely reported in wild birds, which still unclear whether this virus is involved in the epizootic may be due to the fact that they are infrequent (Pomeroy episodes recorded in other regions of the world. 1962, Craves 1994). Beak deformities may be either In Brazil, despite its extensive geographical area, permanent or temporary, and are caused by a range of there has been little research on the occurrence of beak factors (Pomeroy 1962). The main causes are genetic deformities in wild birds, and few cases have been mutations, injuries (e.g., collisions with windows), reported (Sazima et al. 2016, Souza et al. 2016). In diseases, nutritional deficiencies, contact with chemical the present study, I described, most probably, the first pollutants (e.g., agricultural pesticides), problems during report of a case of a beak deformity in a Shiny Cowbird incubation, and the inadequate wear of the rhinotheca Molothrus bonariensis for Brazil. I also present a review on (Pomeroy 1962, Craves 1994). the published records of beak deformities in Brazil, based Most cases of beak deformity are records of isolated on a comprehensive literature search. cases (Pomeroy 1962, Craves 1994). One notable I used the bibliography identified in Google Scholar exception is the case of the wild birds in Alaska, USA, (https://scholar.google.com) to make a compilation on in particular since the 1990s. In this region, beak beak deformities cases in wild birds in Brazil, and other deformities have been recorded in more than 2500 birds specific bibliographic sources not indexed as scientific of 30 species (Handel et al. 2010, Van Hemert & Handel journals of restricted circulation to Brazil and technical 2010). Recurrent sightings of birds with deformed beaks books. The literature sear ch was performed using multiple were also reported in the United Kingdom in subsequent combinations of the words in English and Portuguese: years (Harrison 2011) and in the Patagonia, Argentina avian keratin disorder, beak abnormality, beak deformity, (Gorosito et al. 2016). Following these epizootic beak deformities, bill deformity, crossed beak, elongated episodes, considerable research efforts have been invested beak, bird, wild bird and Brazil. in an attempt to identify the possible causes of these On the afternoon of 11 October 2016, I briefly deformities, known as avian keratin disorder (Handel et sighted a female M. bonariensis with a heavily deformed al. 2010, Van Hemert & Handel 2010, Handel & Van beak on the campus of Mato Grosso State University o o Hemert 2015). The most recent evidence indicates that (14 41'25''S; 52 20'55''W), located within the Bacaba the deformities observed in Alaska are associated with Municipal Park in Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso state, a viral infection (Zylberberg et al. 2018). However, it is Brazil. I sighted the female again at the same site on Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação the following day, at around 15:00 h, local time. This its head to one right side and using the base of its beak individual was part of a flock of five M. bonariensis. On to catch insects (apparently ants) in the grass, while the other members foraged normally. Individual adaptations this occasion, I could confirm that the bird had a grossly elongated maxilla (Fig. 1). In addition to being elongated in feeding behavior have been observed in birds of other (approximately three times longer than the normal length species with deformed beaks (Pomeroy 1962, Van Hemert of the beak), the maxilla was quite curved downward, and et al. 2012). had some wear at the extremity. I also observed a contrast I found 60 recorded cases of beak deformities in wild birds for Brazil from 11 publications (Table 1). in the coloration of the beak, which was greyish black (the standard color) at the base and brown in the elongated Deformities were recorded in 35 bird species, belonging portion of the rhinotheca. Despite this deformity, the to 22 families, of which 11 families were Passeriformes. bird appeared to be healthy, with well-groomed plumage, Ramphastidae and Thraupidae had the highest number and similar in size to other adult females. During the of species with deformities, with 4 each, followed by Thamnophilidae, with 3. The species with t he most records short period that I was able to monitor the bird (~4 min), it captured food in a distinct manner in comparison with were the Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco (n = 21) and the the other members of the flock. I observed t he bird tilting Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro (n = 3). With the Table 1. Cases of beak deformities in wild birds registered in Brazil. Taxon Type of deformity Municipality-state Date Source Sulidae        Sula dactylatra Curved beak Mostardas-RS 28 February 2006 Franz et al. 2008 Sula leucogaster Unspecified Paraná state 1995 Straube 1996 Ardeidae        Shortening of beak - Ardea alba Araxá-MG 16 March 2013 Souza et al. 2016 accidental Cathartidae         Short and deformed upper mandible; lower mandible Coragyps atratus Colinas do Tocantins-TO 27 December 2010 Souza et al. 2016 with fractured extremity - accidental Rallidae         Aramides saracura Crossed upper mandiblePalmeira das Missões-RS 13 May 2016 Santos et al. 2018 Columbidae         Patagioenas picazuro Upper mandible crossed Luz-MG May–June 2012 Vitorino & Souza 2013 Upper mandible strongly Campinas-SP 09 August 2011 Sazima et al. 2016 twisted to the left Upper mandible strongly   Campinas-SP 28 April/03 May 2015 Sazima et al. 2016 twisted to the left Trochilidae         Atrophy of upper Clytolaema rubricauda Quatro Barras-PR 28 May 1987 Straube 1996 mandible Lower mandible distinctly Rio de Janeiro-RJ 23–24 April 2015 Sazima et al. 2016   curved to the left Atrophy of lower Morretes-PR 16 November 1986 Straube 1996 Amazilia versicolor mandible Galbulidae         Crossed upper and lower Galbula ruficauda Itiquira-MT 13 February 2013 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Crossed upper and lower   Goiânia-GO 03 October 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Ramphastidae         Malformation at the Ramphastos toco extremity of the upper Brasília-DF 08 September 2007 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação Taxon Type of deformity Municipality-state Date Source Crossed upper and lower   Batayporã-MS 26 July 2009 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Absence of the upper   Corumbá-MS 05 September 2009 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental   Upper mandible crossed Poços de Caldas-MG 06 November 2009 Souza et al. 2016 Fissure at the tip of   the upper mandible - Caetanópolis-MG 07 January 2010 Souza et al. 2016 accidental Absence of the lower   Goiânia-GO 01 April 2010 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental   Upper mandible crossed Uberaba-MG 04 June 2010 Souza et al. 2016 Absence of the upper   Peruíbe-SP 30 April 2011 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Absence of the lower   São Roque de Minas-MG 10 June 2011 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Lower mandible   elongated; absence of the Araxá-MG 06 April 2012 Souza et al. 2016 upper mandible tip   Upper mandible crossed Joanópolis-SP 30 April 2013 Souza et al. 2016 Absence of approximately   half of the upper mandible Bonito-MS 12 December 2013 Souza et al. 2016 - accidental Part of deformed upper   Mundo Novo-MS 24 March 2014 Souza et al. (2016) mandible - accidental Part of deformed upper   Três Corações-MG 28 June 2014 Souza et al. 2016 mandible - seems to burnt Absence of the upper   Mineiros-GO 30 December 2014 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Absence of approximately   half of the lower mandible Araçatuba-SP 17 February 2015 Souza et al. 2016 - accidental Absence of the upper   Campo Grande-MS 02 May 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Absence of the upper   Niquelândia-GO 04 July 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Perforation of the upper   Natalândia-MG 30 December 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible - accidental Malformation at the   extremity of the upper Araçoiaba da Serra-SP 08 February 2016 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Malformation at the   extremity of the upper Campo Belo-MG 13 March 2013 Rezende 2013 mandible Absence of the upper Ramphastos tucanus Comodoro-MT 06 November 2011 Souza et al. (2016) mandible tip - accidental Absence of the lower Ramphastos dicolorus Mairinque-SP 25 May 2016 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Pteroglossus aracari Upper mandible crossed Porciúncula-RJ 21 June 2013 Souza et al. 2016 Picidae         Upper mandible Melanerpes candidus elongated; absence of the Sacramento-MG 31 May 2014 Souza et al. 2016 upper mandible tip Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação Taxon Type of deformity Municipality-state Date Source Falconidae         Upper mandible Falco femoralis elongated; crossed lower Goiânia-GO 25 August 2013 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Psittacidae         Thectocercus acuticaudatus Mandible vestigial Canudos-BA 06 April 2016 Souza et al. 2016 Myiopsitta monachus Upper mandible elongated São Roque-SP 23 May 2011 Souza et al. 2016   Upper mandible elongated Poconé-MT 07 June 2011 Souza et al. 2016 Thamnophilidae         Santo Antônio do Monte- Thamnophilus torquatus Upper mandible crossed 26 May 2012 Souza et al. 2016 MG Pyriglena leucoptera Upper mandible crossed São Miguel Arcanjo-SP 18 March 2011 Gallo-Ortiz 2011 Percnostola rufifrons Lower mandible elongated Curuá-PA 22 February 2012 Souza et al. 2016 Furnariidae         Upper mandible strongly Furnarius rufus Campinas-SP 08 July 2010 Sazima et al. 2016 twisted to the right Pipridae         Ilicura militaris Upper mandible crossed Nova Lima-MG 15 October 2015 Souza et al. 2016 Tityridae         Pachyramphus Beak more short and Vasconcelos & Rodrigues Bocaiúva-MG 24 November 1998 polychopterus curved to the side 2006 Corvidae         Cyanocorax cristatellus Upper mandible crossed Alto Paraíso de Goiás-GO 24 November 2012 Darosci 2017 Troglodytidae         Extremity of beak side- Cyphorhinus arada Unspecified Unspecified Sick 1997 facing Turdidae         Vasconcelos & Rodrigues Turdus leucomelas Unspecified Bocaiúva-MG Unspecified Turdus rufiventris Upper mandible elongated São Paulo-SP 14 September 2013 Souza et al. 2016 Mimidae         Lower mandible deflected Mimus saturninus Engenheiro Coelho-SP 15 June 2011 Souza et al. 2016 to left side Icteridae         Crossed upper and lower Cacicus haemorrhous Aracruz-ES 31 August 2013 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Santo Antônio do Monte- Chrysomus ruficapillus Upper mandible crossed 23 February 2014 Souza et al. 2016 MG Thraupidae         Tangara sayaca Upper mandible elongated Piraju-SP 17 July 2010 Souza et al. 2016 Fissure of the lower Tangara palmarum Porto Velho-RO 03 October 2012 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Tangara ornata Upper mandible crossed Ubatuba-SP 16 December 2010 Souza et al. 2016 Conceição do Mato Dentro- Sporophila nigricollis Fissure in rhinotheca 24 November 2013 Souza et al. 2016 MG Fringillidae         Euphonia violacea Upper mandible elongated Ubatuba-SP 02 May 2016 Souza et al. 2016 Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação exception of a chick Brown Booby Sula leucogaster and a isolated cases, the similarities found do not reveal much at the moment, but can serve as a basis for possible future juvenile Masked Booby Sula dactylatra, all birds affected observations. by deformities were adults. Based on the published photographs and the case As in most of cases recorded in Brazil, it was not descriptions, I was able to determine that 38% of the cases possible to monitor the specimen over a long period of beak deformity involved crossed beaks, due to some to determine whether the deformity was permanent or temporary, nor to collect it for analysis. At first, type of deviation of the maxilla or mandible. A further it seems unlikely that this case of beak elongation, or 27% of the cases appeared to be the result of accidental injuries. This type of deformity was found primarily in any of the others recorded in Brazil, has an etiological three species of toucans, which can be explained by the origin similar to the alarming cases of beak deformity large size of the beak of these species. First, in theory, the recorded in Alaska (Handel et al. 2010, Van Hemert & Handel 2010). In fact, the number of published reports large beak of toucans probably becomes more vulnerable from Brazil were low overall, and the events did not to accidental fractures. Second, a large, colorful beak provides more visual conspicuity, which facilitates field appear to be related to epizootic outbreaks. However, registration in relation to the other bird species. Birds beak deformities are more common than suggested with elongated beaks corresponded to 15% of the records. by the literature, given that not all cases are reported in scientific publications (Vasconcelos & Rodrigues Altogether, other types of deformity contributed with 2006). Moreover, without systematized research 17% of the records, while the deformity was not described specifically in the cases of Brown Booby S. leucogaster and efforts on th e subject this issue cannot be elucidated. Pale-breasted Thrush Tur dus leucomelas (Table 1). Laboratory analyses, the long-term monitoring of Despite the large number of icterid species found affec ted individuals, even in a small number of cases, and formal publication of records may help to better in Brazil, beak deformities have been recorded in only clarify the causes and consequence of beak deformities three taxa, including the present case. Recently, a case of crossed beak was recorded for M. bonariensis in Argentina in birds. These approaches will contribute to the (Bianchini & Arenas 2018). I evaluated the photographic detection of possible threats to the wild bird fauna. record of this case and observed that, in addition to the crossed beak, at least the upper mandible was also ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS elongated. Apparently, this record and that of the present study are the only two records of beak deformity in M. bonariensis. In both cases, the elongation of the upper This study was financed in part b y the Coordenação de mandible and the difference in color of the elongated Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. part of the beak is notable. Considering only the two Figure 1. Female Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis with beak elongated (A) and comparison with a male with normal beak (B) in Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Photo author: K.N. Purificação. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação Ornitológicas 174: 23. REFERENCES Santos L.E.S., Wagener T.L.S. & Almeida R.S. 2018. Registro de deformação no bico de Saracura-do-mato, Aramides saracura Bianchini M. & Arenas C. 2018. Registros documentados de aves con (Gruiformes: Rallidae). Atualidades Ornitológicas 201: 26. picos deformados hallados en la Argentina. Nótulas Faunísticas Sazima I., Hipolito J.V. & D'Angelo G.B. 2016. Mouth troubles: 233: 1–11. possible outcomes for three bird species with deformed bills. Craves J.A. 1994. Passerines with deformed bills. North American Bird Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 24: 354–357. Bander 19: 14–18. Sick H. 1997. Ornitologia brasileira. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Nova Fronteira. Darosci A.A.B. 2017. Registro de deformação em bico de Gralha-do- Souza T.O., Silva L.F. & Silva C.R. 2016. Novos registros sobre campo, Cyanocorax cristatellus. Atualidades Ornitológicas 196: 27. deformidades de bicos em aves brasileiras. Atualidades Ornitológicas Franz I., Ott P.H., Machado R. & Fausto I.V. 2008. Primeiros 192: 50–56. registros de Sula dactylatra Lesson, 1831 (Pelecaniformes: Sulidae) Straube F.C. 1996. Dois casos de anormalidade em bicos de beija-flores no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de (Trochilidae; Aves). Acta Biologica Leopoldensia 18: 167–169. Ornitologia 16: 178–180. Van Hemert C. & Handel C.M. 2010. Beak deformities in Gallo-Ortiz G. 2011. Deformidade de bico em um indivíduo Northwestern Crows: evidence of a multispecies epizootic. Auk de Papa-taoca-do-sul, Pyriglena leucoptera (Passeriformes: 127: 746–751. Thamnophilidae), na Mata Atlântica do estado de São Paulo, Van Hemert C., Handel C.M. & O'Brien D.M. 2012. Stable isotopes Brasil. Atualidades Ornitológicas 164: 20–21. identify dietary changes associated with beak deformities in Black- Gorosito C.A., Gonda H. & Cueto V.R. 2016. Beak deformities in Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). Auk 129: 460–466. north Patagonian birds. Ornitología Neotropical 27: 289–295. Vasconcelos M.F. & Rodrigues M. 2006. Bill deformity in a White- Handel C.M., Pajot L.M., Matsuoka S.M., Van Hemert C., Terenzi winged Becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus, (Aves: Suboscines: J., Talbot S.L., Mulcahy D.M., Meteyer C.U. & Trust K.A. 2010. Tityridae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: an Ornitologia 14: 165–166. emerging disease in North America? Auk 127: 882–898. Vitorino B.D. & Souza T.O. 2013. Comportamento reprodutivo Handel C.M. & Van Hemert C. 2015. Environmental contaminants de um indivíduo de Patagioenas picazuro (Columbidae) com and chromosomal damage associated with beak deformities in a deformidade no bico. Atualidades Ornitológicas 175: 22. resident North American passerine. Environmental Toxicology and Zylberberg M., Van Hemert C., Handel C.M. & DeRisi J.L. Chemistry 34: 314–327. Harrison T. 2011. Beak deformities of garden birds. British Birds 104: 2018. Avian keratin disorder of Alaska black-capped 538–541. chickadees is associated with Poecivirus infection. Virolog y Pomeroy D.E. 1962. Birds with abnormal bills. British Birds 55: 49–73. Journal 15: 100. Rezende M.A. 2013. Um caso de deformidade de bico em Tucanuçu Ramphastos toco em Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Atualidades Associate Editor: Luis F. Silveira. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ornithology Research Springer Journals

A case of beak deformity in the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and a review on beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil

Purificação, Keila Nunes
Ornithology Research , Volume 27 (3) – Sep 1, 2019
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Abstract

Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 212–217. SHORT-COMMUNIC ARA TICLE TION September 2019 A case of beak deformity in the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and a review on beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil 1,2 Keila Nunes Purificação Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brazil. Corresponding author: keilanunesbio@gmail.com Received on 02 September 2018. Accepted on 18 July 2019. ABSTRACT: Beak deformities in wild birds are rarely reported. Here, I described a case of beak deformity in Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis, and also provide a review on beak deformities recorded in wild birds in Brazil. In October 2016, I observed a M. bonariensis with a grossly elongated maxilla in the east region of the Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The literature review revealed 60 records of beak deformities in the Brazilian avifauna. The most common types of deformity were crossed maxillae or mandibles (38%), probable accidental injuries (27%), and elongations (15%). Deformities were reported in 35 bird species of 22 families. The most affected species was Ramphastos toco with 21 recor ds. The number of published reports from Brazil was low overall, and are not related as an epizootic episode recorded in some bird communities. KEY-WORDS: avian keratin disorder, beak abnormality, bill deformity, crossed beak, elongated beak. Beak deformities are rarely reported in wild birds, which still unclear whether this virus is involved in the epizootic may be due to the fact that they are infrequent (Pomeroy episodes recorded in other regions of the world. 1962, Craves 1994). Beak deformities may be either In Brazil, despite its extensive geographical area, permanent or temporary, and are caused by a range of there has been little research on the occurrence of beak factors (Pomeroy 1962). The main causes are genetic deformities in wild birds, and few cases have been mutations, injuries (e.g., collisions with windows), reported (Sazima et al. 2016, Souza et al. 2016). In diseases, nutritional deficiencies, contact with chemical the present study, I described, most probably, the first pollutants (e.g., agricultural pesticides), problems during report of a case of a beak deformity in a Shiny Cowbird incubation, and the inadequate wear of the rhinotheca Molothrus bonariensis for Brazil. I also present a review on (Pomeroy 1962, Craves 1994). the published records of beak deformities in Brazil, based Most cases of beak deformity are records of isolated on a comprehensive literature search. cases (Pomeroy 1962, Craves 1994). One notable I used the bibliography identified in Google Scholar exception is the case of the wild birds in Alaska, USA, (https://scholar.google.com) to make a compilation on in particular since the 1990s. In this region, beak beak deformities cases in wild birds in Brazil, and other deformities have been recorded in more than 2500 birds specific bibliographic sources not indexed as scientific of 30 species (Handel et al. 2010, Van Hemert & Handel journals of restricted circulation to Brazil and technical 2010). Recurrent sightings of birds with deformed beaks books. The literature sear ch was performed using multiple were also reported in the United Kingdom in subsequent combinations of the words in English and Portuguese: years (Harrison 2011) and in the Patagonia, Argentina avian keratin disorder, beak abnormality, beak deformity, (Gorosito et al. 2016). Following these epizootic beak deformities, bill deformity, crossed beak, elongated episodes, considerable research efforts have been invested beak, bird, wild bird and Brazil. in an attempt to identify the possible causes of these On the afternoon of 11 October 2016, I briefly deformities, known as avian keratin disorder (Handel et sighted a female M. bonariensis with a heavily deformed al. 2010, Van Hemert & Handel 2010, Handel & Van beak on the campus of Mato Grosso State University o o Hemert 2015). The most recent evidence indicates that (14 41'25''S; 52 20'55''W), located within the Bacaba the deformities observed in Alaska are associated with Municipal Park in Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso state, a viral infection (Zylberberg et al. 2018). However, it is Brazil. I sighted the female again at the same site on Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação the following day, at around 15:00 h, local time. This its head to one right side and using the base of its beak individual was part of a flock of five M. bonariensis. On to catch insects (apparently ants) in the grass, while the other members foraged normally. Individual adaptations this occasion, I could confirm that the bird had a grossly elongated maxilla (Fig. 1). In addition to being elongated in feeding behavior have been observed in birds of other (approximately three times longer than the normal length species with deformed beaks (Pomeroy 1962, Van Hemert of the beak), the maxilla was quite curved downward, and et al. 2012). had some wear at the extremity. I also observed a contrast I found 60 recorded cases of beak deformities in wild birds for Brazil from 11 publications (Table 1). in the coloration of the beak, which was greyish black (the standard color) at the base and brown in the elongated Deformities were recorded in 35 bird species, belonging portion of the rhinotheca. Despite this deformity, the to 22 families, of which 11 families were Passeriformes. bird appeared to be healthy, with well-groomed plumage, Ramphastidae and Thraupidae had the highest number and similar in size to other adult females. During the of species with deformities, with 4 each, followed by Thamnophilidae, with 3. The species with t he most records short period that I was able to monitor the bird (~4 min), it captured food in a distinct manner in comparison with were the Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco (n = 21) and the the other members of the flock. I observed t he bird tilting Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro (n = 3). With the Table 1. Cases of beak deformities in wild birds registered in Brazil. Taxon Type of deformity Municipality-state Date Source Sulidae        Sula dactylatra Curved beak Mostardas-RS 28 February 2006 Franz et al. 2008 Sula leucogaster Unspecified Paraná state 1995 Straube 1996 Ardeidae        Shortening of beak - Ardea alba Araxá-MG 16 March 2013 Souza et al. 2016 accidental Cathartidae         Short and deformed upper mandible; lower mandible Coragyps atratus Colinas do Tocantins-TO 27 December 2010 Souza et al. 2016 with fractured extremity - accidental Rallidae         Aramides saracura Crossed upper mandiblePalmeira das Missões-RS 13 May 2016 Santos et al. 2018 Columbidae         Patagioenas picazuro Upper mandible crossed Luz-MG May–June 2012 Vitorino & Souza 2013 Upper mandible strongly Campinas-SP 09 August 2011 Sazima et al. 2016 twisted to the left Upper mandible strongly   Campinas-SP 28 April/03 May 2015 Sazima et al. 2016 twisted to the left Trochilidae         Atrophy of upper Clytolaema rubricauda Quatro Barras-PR 28 May 1987 Straube 1996 mandible Lower mandible distinctly Rio de Janeiro-RJ 23–24 April 2015 Sazima et al. 2016   curved to the left Atrophy of lower Morretes-PR 16 November 1986 Straube 1996 Amazilia versicolor mandible Galbulidae         Crossed upper and lower Galbula ruficauda Itiquira-MT 13 February 2013 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Crossed upper and lower   Goiânia-GO 03 October 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Ramphastidae         Malformation at the Ramphastos toco extremity of the upper Brasília-DF 08 September 2007 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação Taxon Type of deformity Municipality-state Date Source Crossed upper and lower   Batayporã-MS 26 July 2009 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Absence of the upper   Corumbá-MS 05 September 2009 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental   Upper mandible crossed Poços de Caldas-MG 06 November 2009 Souza et al. 2016 Fissure at the tip of   the upper mandible - Caetanópolis-MG 07 January 2010 Souza et al. 2016 accidental Absence of the lower   Goiânia-GO 01 April 2010 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental   Upper mandible crossed Uberaba-MG 04 June 2010 Souza et al. 2016 Absence of the upper   Peruíbe-SP 30 April 2011 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Absence of the lower   São Roque de Minas-MG 10 June 2011 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Lower mandible   elongated; absence of the Araxá-MG 06 April 2012 Souza et al. 2016 upper mandible tip   Upper mandible crossed Joanópolis-SP 30 April 2013 Souza et al. 2016 Absence of approximately   half of the upper mandible Bonito-MS 12 December 2013 Souza et al. 2016 - accidental Part of deformed upper   Mundo Novo-MS 24 March 2014 Souza et al. (2016) mandible - accidental Part of deformed upper   Três Corações-MG 28 June 2014 Souza et al. 2016 mandible - seems to burnt Absence of the upper   Mineiros-GO 30 December 2014 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Absence of approximately   half of the lower mandible Araçatuba-SP 17 February 2015 Souza et al. 2016 - accidental Absence of the upper   Campo Grande-MS 02 May 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Absence of the upper   Niquelândia-GO 04 July 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Perforation of the upper   Natalândia-MG 30 December 2015 Souza et al. 2016 mandible - accidental Malformation at the   extremity of the upper Araçoiaba da Serra-SP 08 February 2016 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Malformation at the   extremity of the upper Campo Belo-MG 13 March 2013 Rezende 2013 mandible Absence of the upper Ramphastos tucanus Comodoro-MT 06 November 2011 Souza et al. (2016) mandible tip - accidental Absence of the lower Ramphastos dicolorus Mairinque-SP 25 May 2016 Souza et al. 2016 mandible tip - accidental Pteroglossus aracari Upper mandible crossed Porciúncula-RJ 21 June 2013 Souza et al. 2016 Picidae         Upper mandible Melanerpes candidus elongated; absence of the Sacramento-MG 31 May 2014 Souza et al. 2016 upper mandible tip Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação Taxon Type of deformity Municipality-state Date Source Falconidae         Upper mandible Falco femoralis elongated; crossed lower Goiânia-GO 25 August 2013 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Psittacidae         Thectocercus acuticaudatus Mandible vestigial Canudos-BA 06 April 2016 Souza et al. 2016 Myiopsitta monachus Upper mandible elongated São Roque-SP 23 May 2011 Souza et al. 2016   Upper mandible elongated Poconé-MT 07 June 2011 Souza et al. 2016 Thamnophilidae         Santo Antônio do Monte- Thamnophilus torquatus Upper mandible crossed 26 May 2012 Souza et al. 2016 MG Pyriglena leucoptera Upper mandible crossed São Miguel Arcanjo-SP 18 March 2011 Gallo-Ortiz 2011 Percnostola rufifrons Lower mandible elongated Curuá-PA 22 February 2012 Souza et al. 2016 Furnariidae         Upper mandible strongly Furnarius rufus Campinas-SP 08 July 2010 Sazima et al. 2016 twisted to the right Pipridae         Ilicura militaris Upper mandible crossed Nova Lima-MG 15 October 2015 Souza et al. 2016 Tityridae         Pachyramphus Beak more short and Vasconcelos & Rodrigues Bocaiúva-MG 24 November 1998 polychopterus curved to the side 2006 Corvidae         Cyanocorax cristatellus Upper mandible crossed Alto Paraíso de Goiás-GO 24 November 2012 Darosci 2017 Troglodytidae         Extremity of beak side- Cyphorhinus arada Unspecified Unspecified Sick 1997 facing Turdidae         Vasconcelos & Rodrigues Turdus leucomelas Unspecified Bocaiúva-MG Unspecified Turdus rufiventris Upper mandible elongated São Paulo-SP 14 September 2013 Souza et al. 2016 Mimidae         Lower mandible deflected Mimus saturninus Engenheiro Coelho-SP 15 June 2011 Souza et al. 2016 to left side Icteridae         Crossed upper and lower Cacicus haemorrhous Aracruz-ES 31 August 2013 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Santo Antônio do Monte- Chrysomus ruficapillus Upper mandible crossed 23 February 2014 Souza et al. 2016 MG Thraupidae         Tangara sayaca Upper mandible elongated Piraju-SP 17 July 2010 Souza et al. 2016 Fissure of the lower Tangara palmarum Porto Velho-RO 03 October 2012 Souza et al. 2016 mandible Tangara ornata Upper mandible crossed Ubatuba-SP 16 December 2010 Souza et al. 2016 Conceição do Mato Dentro- Sporophila nigricollis Fissure in rhinotheca 24 November 2013 Souza et al. 2016 MG Fringillidae         Euphonia violacea Upper mandible elongated Ubatuba-SP 02 May 2016 Souza et al. 2016 Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação exception of a chick Brown Booby Sula leucogaster and a isolated cases, the similarities found do not reveal much at the moment, but can serve as a basis for possible future juvenile Masked Booby Sula dactylatra, all birds affected observations. by deformities were adults. Based on the published photographs and the case As in most of cases recorded in Brazil, it was not descriptions, I was able to determine that 38% of the cases possible to monitor the specimen over a long period of beak deformity involved crossed beaks, due to some to determine whether the deformity was permanent or temporary, nor to collect it for analysis. At first, type of deviation of the maxilla or mandible. A further it seems unlikely that this case of beak elongation, or 27% of the cases appeared to be the result of accidental injuries. This type of deformity was found primarily in any of the others recorded in Brazil, has an etiological three species of toucans, which can be explained by the origin similar to the alarming cases of beak deformity large size of the beak of these species. First, in theory, the recorded in Alaska (Handel et al. 2010, Van Hemert & Handel 2010). In fact, the number of published reports large beak of toucans probably becomes more vulnerable from Brazil were low overall, and the events did not to accidental fractures. Second, a large, colorful beak provides more visual conspicuity, which facilitates field appear to be related to epizootic outbreaks. However, registration in relation to the other bird species. Birds beak deformities are more common than suggested with elongated beaks corresponded to 15% of the records. by the literature, given that not all cases are reported in scientific publications (Vasconcelos & Rodrigues Altogether, other types of deformity contributed with 2006). Moreover, without systematized research 17% of the records, while the deformity was not described specifically in the cases of Brown Booby S. leucogaster and efforts on th e subject this issue cannot be elucidated. Pale-breasted Thrush Tur dus leucomelas (Table 1). Laboratory analyses, the long-term monitoring of Despite the large number of icterid species found affec ted individuals, even in a small number of cases, and formal publication of records may help to better in Brazil, beak deformities have been recorded in only clarify the causes and consequence of beak deformities three taxa, including the present case. Recently, a case of crossed beak was recorded for M. bonariensis in Argentina in birds. These approaches will contribute to the (Bianchini & Arenas 2018). I evaluated the photographic detection of possible threats to the wild bird fauna. record of this case and observed that, in addition to the crossed beak, at least the upper mandible was also ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS elongated. Apparently, this record and that of the present study are the only two records of beak deformity in M. bonariensis. In both cases, the elongation of the upper This study was financed in part b y the Coordenação de mandible and the difference in color of the elongated Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. part of the beak is notable. Considering only the two Figure 1. Female Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis with beak elongated (A) and comparison with a male with normal beak (B) in Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Photo author: K.N. Purificação. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019 Review of beak deformities in wild birds in Brazil Purificação Ornitológicas 174: 23. REFERENCES Santos L.E.S., Wagener T.L.S. & Almeida R.S. 2018. Registro de deformação no bico de Saracura-do-mato, Aramides saracura Bianchini M. & Arenas C. 2018. Registros documentados de aves con (Gruiformes: Rallidae). Atualidades Ornitológicas 201: 26. picos deformados hallados en la Argentina. Nótulas Faunísticas Sazima I., Hipolito J.V. & D'Angelo G.B. 2016. 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Atualidades Associate Editor: Luis F. Silveira. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 27(3): 2019

Journal

Ornithology Research – Springer Journals

Published: Sep 1, 2019

Keywords: avian keratin disorder; beak abnormality; bill deformity; crossed beak; elongated beak

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