Pruritic facial dermatitis in a population of free-living stitchbirds.
From September 2001 to February 2005, observations of an island population of the New Zealand stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) revealed a progressive feather-losing dermatitis, which developed during the breeding season around the birds' eyes, base of the bill, and ventral neck. The lesions were significantly more likely to develop in males (96%) than females (51%), with males exhibiting a more severe form of the condition at the end of the breeding season. Histology from a dead bird revealed the presence of ovoid burrowing mites within the lesions, and isolation of mites from skin crusts of a live bird were identified as Knemidocoptes spp. Although other factors might be involved in the expression of the condition, Knemidocoptes appears to be a likely causative agent in the development of skin lesions in this population.
Low
Matthew
M
Ecology Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. matt.low@aad.gov.au
Alley
Maurice R
MR
Scott
Ian
I
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005241:Feathers / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000254:growth & development*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000469:parasitology; D012737:Sex Factors