Aspergillosis in a North Island robin (Petroica longipes)

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 3-year-old female North Island robin (Petroica longipes) was found dead on Tiritiri Matangi Island during the breeding season.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The bird was in poor condition, and there was a 13 x 8 mm granulomatous mass in the thoracic cavity causing displacement of the heart and left lung. Histologically, the mass was a large granuloma infiltrated with fungal hyphae, and the liver contained multifocal aggregates of inflammatory cells.

DIAGNOSIS: Thoracic aspergillosis and multifocal hepatitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Determining the causes of death in populations of wild birds is often hampered by a lack of recovery of carcasses, autolysis and poor clinical history. In this case, the life history of the bird was known and recovery of the body was relatively swift. This is the first published description of aspergillosis in a free-living North Island robin.

KEY WORDS:

• North Island robin
• Petroica longipes
• aspergillosis
• Aspergillus fumigatus
• wild birds
• wildlife health

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Askia Wittern for recovering the robin and P Davey and E Lupton at Massey University for processing the histopathological specimens. We also thank the New Zealand Department of Conservation and Tiritiri Matangi Supporters Inc for allowing us access to the facilities of Tiritiri Matangi Island.