Serologic Survey and Herpesvirus Detection in Thick-billed Parrots

摘要

Thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha pachyrhynchd) ranged from the Southwestern United States to Northern Mexico until the 1930s and currently exist only in the forests of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental. They are listed in Appendix I ofCITES as "Endangered." Attempts to reintroduce both wild-caught and captive-reared parrots into Arizona began in 1986 but have been unsuccessful. Captive-reared birds released to date seemed to be behaviorally deficient in predator evasion, feeding and foraging capabilities, and flocking behavior. Disease problems were also encountered that questioned the feasibility of releasing captive birds.