Progressive Feather Dysplasia in a JuvenileBald Eagle

摘要

Feather dysplasia is commonly associated with various etiologies in captive psittacine birds but is rarely reported in wild, non-psittacine avian species. Infectious causes, primarily novel circoviruses and West Nile virus, have been identified in thevast majority of affected avian wildlife. This clinical report examines the case of a juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephahis) with a progressive feather dysplasia that demonstrated no evidence of infectious etiology. Severe feather abnormalitieswere found affecting all rectrices and remiges. Progression of feather abnormalities in this case was documented with photography over one year. Bloodwork, lead and viral testing, and histopathology were performed. While many gross similarities exist tothe "pinching off syndrome" previously reported in white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Europe, histopathology findings do not strongly correlate. This represents the first formal report of progressive feather dysplasia in a juvenile bald eagle with no apparent evidence of infectious cause.