Severe beak deformity in Melopsittacus undulatus caused by Knemidocoptes pilae

Authors: PEDRO MARÍA ALARCÓN ELBAL, VICTOR JESUS CARMONA SALIDO, JOSÉ MARÍN SÁNCHEZ MURILLO, RAFAEL CALERO BERNAL, JAVIER LUCIENTES CURDI

Abstract: An outbreak of knemidocoptic mange caused by Knemidocoptes pilae is described in caged Australian budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in a public park in L´Eliana (Valencia, Spain). Five individuals (5 out of 70) displayed severe malformation of the beak, with the rhamphotheca, rhinotheca, and gnathotheca affected and a slight lateral deviation of the jawbone, which did not, however, impede feeding or grooming.

Keywords: Knemidocoptes pilae, mange, Melopsittacus undulatus, abnormal beak growth, Spain

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