Abstract
The identification and monitoring of emerging
infectious diseases in free living wild birds is a challenge
to wildlife biologists. In this study, a non-invasive
methodology for identifying salmonellosis in wild
garden birds was developed. We focussed on greenfinch,
Carduelis chloris, which were found to have a seasonal
pattern in the occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium
DT 56(v). Principal components analysis of biometric
data indicated that low fat and low weight could be
useful indicators of Salmonella positive greenfinch. A
combination of biometrics taken from live birds, faecal
analysis, and behavioural observations provide an
effective and efficient system for identifying the presence
of salmonellosis within greenfinch.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 571 - 574 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Ecological Research |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | First published - 2007 |
Keywords
- Disease monitoring
- Greenfinch
- Principal components analysis
- Salmonellosis
- Wild birds
