Abstract
Several flocks of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were found dead after colliding with solid objects such as picture windows, plexiglass, and fences. Necropsy examination revealed that all birds had engorged themselves with over-ripe berries of the Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) and had hemorrhages in the breast muscles and the coelomic cavity due to hepatic rupture. Microscopic examination of tissues revealed no underlying pathological conditions. Ethanol was detected at levels of 260–1,000 ppm in the intestinal contents and liver, respectively. The cause of death in these birds was trauma that resulted from colliding with hard objects when flying under the influence of ethanol.
Zusammenfassung
Ethanol-Vergiftung beim Zedernseidenschwanz ( Bombycilla cedrorum )
Gruppen von Zedernseidenschwänzen wurden nach Zusammenstößen mit festen Objekten wie Panoramafenstern, Plexiglas und Zäunen tot aufgefunden. Die Untersuchung der Körper ergab, dass sich die Vögel an überreifen Beeren des brasilianischen Pfefferbaums (Schinus terebinthifolius) überfressen hatten und aufgrund von Rissen im Leberparenchyms starke Blutungen im Bereich des Brustmuskels und der Leibeshöhle aufwiesen. Die Gewebe-Mikroskopie zeigte keine tiefer gehenden Ursachen; aber im Verdauungstrakt wie auch in der Leber konnte Ethanol in Konzentrationen von 260 bis 1,000 ppm nachgewiesen werden. Die Todesursache war bei diesen Vögeln ein Trauma, das sie höchstwahrscheinlich als Ursache von Zusammenstößen mit harten Gegenständen unter einer Ethanolvergiftung davontrugen.
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Communicated by L. Fusani.
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Kinde, H., Foate, E., Beeler, E. et al. Strong circumstantial evidence for ethanol toxicosis in Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). J Ornithol 153, 995–998 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-012-0858-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-012-0858-7