MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FACTORS IN PRE-FLEDGED FLORIDA SANDHILL CRANE (GRUS CANADENSIS PRATENSIS) CHICKS

Authors

ROBERT J. DUSEK, University of Florida
MARILYN G. SPALDING, University of FloridaFollow
DONALD J. FORRESTER, University of Florida
NICHOLAS KOMAR, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
JONATHAN F. DAY, University of Florida

Date of this Version

2005

Document Type

Article

Citation

Dusek, R.J., M.G. Spalding, D.J. Forrester, N. Komar, and J.F. Day. Morbidity and mortality factors in pre-fledged Florida sandhill crane (Grus Canadensis Pratensis) Chicks. In Chavez-Ramirez, F, ed. 2005. Proceedings of the Ninth North American Crane Workshop, Jan 17-20, 2003. Sacramento, California: North American Crane Working Group. Pp. 7-14.

Comments

Reproduced by permission of the NACWG.

Abstract

One hundred and fifteen Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks were captured in Osceola and Lake Counties, Florida in 1998 - 2000 and examined for evidence of disease. Evidence of Eimeria gruis and/or E. reichenowi infection was found in 52% of chicks examined. Ten chicks were positive for antibodies to St. Louis encephalitis virus and 1 of these chicks was also positive for antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis virus. Predation was the most commonly identified cause of mortality. An unidentified microfilaria, and an unknown protozoan were detected in blood smears from crane chicks. A number of other disease conditions were also encountered, including: ant bites, chigger infestations, helminth infections, bacterial infections, leg problems associated with capture, and a bill deformity.