Studbook nr. 5, December 2008

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EUROPEAN STUDBOOK CROWNED PIGEONS 5.6 Longevity Table 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 shows the longevity records in crowned pigeons. Only the data from captive born pigeons, for which the exact hatch date is known, is used in the comparison of ages. Table 5.4: Longevity records in captive born Goura cristata Goura cristata Stud # Sex Event Age 1 7900 Male Died 26 2 8708 Male Died 21 3 8716 Female Still alive 21 4 8801 Male Still alive 20 5 8608 Male Died 19 Table 5.5: Longevity records in captive born Goura scheepmakeri Goura scheepmakeri Stud # Sex Event Age 1 8901 Unknown Still alive 19 2 8607 Female Still alive 19 3 9013 Unknown Still alive 18 4 8202 Male Died 18 5 9113 Unknown Still alive 17 Table 5.6: Longevity records in captive born Goura victoria Goura victoria Stud # Sex Event Age 1 7609 Female Still alive 32 2 7610 Male Still alive 32 3 7708 Male Still alive 31 4 8006 Female Still alive 27 5 7101 Male Died 22 The oldest captive born crowned pigeon is over 32 years of age and still alive in Amsterdam. The Goura victoria was born on 8 August 1976 at the same institute and has never been transferred. There also are crowned pigeons in captivity which are older than this, but are caught in the wild. Because the hatch date of these birds can only be estimated roughly the real age can fluctuate a few years. Most of the time the hatch date is levelled with the date of capture which makes the pigeon older in reality. The oldest wild hatched crowned pigeon is said to be 35 years old and still alive in Stuttgart. There is no doubt crowned pigeons can reach a maximum age of over 30 years, in captivity maybe even 35. In the wild there are no natural predators, and because they are frugivorous (and do not need speed to hunt for food), this maximum age might be reached in the wild too. 170
EUROPEAN STUDBOOK CROWNED PIGEONS 5.7 Health In this paragraph a couple of examples will be given about infections that occur in crowned pigeons. Three cases will be illustrated in which crowned pigeons died unexpectedly or get infected with parasites as well as possible causes. In many cases infections can be prevented by taking precautionary measures. Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii has a worldwide distribution and is a common disease in crowned pigeons. Virtually all vertebrate species are susceptible to infection (Garell, 1999). Domestic and exotic felids are the only known definitive hosts of this parasite and as such are the only animals capable of completing the enteroepithelial life cycle of the parasite and shedding oöcysts in their faeces (Dorrestein et al, 2002). In 2001 four Scheepmaker’s crowned pigeons (Goura scheepmakeri sclaterii) housed in the same enclosure died unexpectedly within 4 days. All birds were in good to excellent condition and most birds still had food in the proventriculus. During the post mortem, toxoplasma-like organisms were seen in the lungs, liver, spleen and intestines. Infection through contact with cat faeces of these pigeons could be in consequence of the leaves collected in the zoo for breeding purposes. But also food polluted with cat faeces can often not be excluded (Dorrestein et al, 2002). Sticktight flea A 12-year old female Victoria crowned pigeon acquired from a private aviculturalist, was diagnosed with a flea infestation during a quarantine examination. The fleas were embedded around the face and throat and were identified as sticktight fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea). Although this parasite has the potential to induce morbidity and mortality, no feather loss, localized dermatitis or anaemia were noted in response to the ectoparasitism. The infestation was treated with manual removal of fleas combined with topical malathion dusting and environmental treatment. Subsequent recheck exams did not reveal any fleas on this pigeon or on any of the other birds housed in the same room (Zoltan et al., 2007). This case illustrates the importance of quarantine procedures for newly acquired birds as part of responsible captive management of a large, multispecies bird collection (Zoltan et al., 2007). Sarcocystis Three Victoria crowned pigeons housed in a totally enclosed free-flight tropical exhibit died within 9 days of each other without showing signs of illness. No significant medical problems had been noted with the birds. The horticulture department had placed new soil from an outdoor source located on zoo grounds in several areas of the building 10 days prior to death of the first bird. Immunohistochemical staining identified a Sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite in all three birds (Suedmeyer et al., 2001). Sarcocystis species are coccidian parasites and are ingested by the intermediate host. It is suspected that new exhibit soil contaminated with faeces from the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was the source of the infective sporocysts. To help prevent future infections, outdoor horticulture soil should not be placed directly in animal exhibits. The deaths of these three birds documents the possibility of indoor infections with Sarcocystis falcatula-like organisms, which have been previously reported only in outdoor aviaries. Veterinarians and zoo professionals should be aware that infection with Sarcocystis falcatula can occur in totally enclosed aviaries (Suedmeyer et al., 2001). 171
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Studbook nr. 5, December 2008

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