Factors affecting breeding status of wading birds in the Everglades.

This goals of this research and monitoring effort are to document nesting effort and roughly categorize success of nesting by wading birds in the central Everglades of Florida, and to investigate the causes of nonbreeding in a high proportion of the adult wading birds in the ecosystem The latter goal has focused on breeding of White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) and has been approached through 1) understanding the nutritional, behavioral, and hormonal aspects of normal breeding in a captive colony ofScarlet Ibises (considered conspecific to White Ibises) in central Florida, and 2) comparing breeding and nonbreeding wild White Ibises in the Everglades, in their physiology, nutritional state, breeding phenology, contaminant load, and hormonal status. This report covers work on this project between January and November, 2000. (81 page docoument

INTERACTIONS OF SANDHILL CRANES AND WHOOPING CRANES WITH FOREIGN OBJECTS IN FLORIDA

During studies of Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pralensis), greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida), and whooping cranes (G. americana) in Florida, we documented cases where these birds were in contact with human-produced objects that resulted in injury or death. We describe \u3e40 instances in which cranes collided with powerlines or fences, became entangled in string or fishing line, or ingested foreign objects. The effect of human-produced objects on crane populations, particularly small populations, may be significant

Reproductive Health of the Florida Flock of Introduced Whooping Cranes

We examined the reproductive parameters of the introduced non-migratory flock of whooping cranes in Florida. Of 289 cranes introduced, 67 males and 65 females survived at least 3 years. The first behavioral pairs appeared in 1995, and eggs were first laid in 1999. In total, eggs were laid in 47 nests, 17 chicks hatched, and 4 young fledged by 2005. Severe drought conditions through 2001 were thought to be the reason for low reproductive nest success. In 2003 nesting conditions improved and 71% of nests with eggs, hatched chicks. During the next 2 years, with continued wet conditions, the proportion of pairs that laid eggs increased, but only 17% of those nests hatched. Embryos could not be seen in most of the decomposed eggs that were examined. In an effort to determine the cause for the low reproductive success of the flock, we examined the effects of behavioral pair formation, mortality, gonad size and histology, age, egg laying, hatching success, egg size, fertility, and egg microbial culture results on nesting success. When compared with the natural wild Aransas/Wood Buffalo flock, the productivity of birds reaching 8 years (100% egg laying, hatching, 60% fledging) was very low. When compared with the originating captive flock, however, evidence of fertility was similar. Productivity did however, increase in the captive flock beyond 8 years of age. At the time of this report, the reproductive birds in the Florida resident flock remain relatively young when compared with the captive flock. Therefore there may be improvement of reproductive success as the Florida flock ages

Versão brasileira do Quality of Care Scale: qualidade de cuidado na perspectiva de pessoas com incapacidades

OBJECTIVE To analyze evidence of the validity and reliability of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Quality of Care Scale from the perspective of people with physical and intellectual disabilities. METHODS There were 162 people with physical disabilities and 156 with intellectual disabilities from Porto Alegre and metropolitan region, who participated in the study in 2008. Classical psychometrics was used to independently analyze the two samples. Hypotheses for evidence of criterion validity (concurrent type) were tested with the Mann-Whitney test for non-normal distributions. Principal components analysis was used to explore factorial models. Evidence of reliability was calculated with Cronbach alpha for the scales and subscales. Test-retest reliability was analyzed for individuals with intellectual disabilities through intra-class correlation coefficient and the Willcoxon test. RESULTS The principal components in the group with physical disabilities replicated the original model presented as a solution to the international project data. Evidence of discriminant validity and test-retest reliability was found. CONCLUSIONS The transcultural factor model found within the international sample project seems appropriate for the samples investigated in this study, especially the physical disabilities group. Depression, pain, satisfaction with life and disability may play a mediating role in the evaluation of quality of care. Additional research is needed to add to evidence of the validity of the instruments.OBJETIVO Analisar as evidências de validade e fidedignidade da versão para o português brasileiro da Quality of Care Scale na perspectiva de pessoas com incapacidades físicas e intelectuais. MÉTODOS Participaram do estudo 162 pessoas com incapacidades físicas e 156 com incapacidades intelectuais em Porto Alegre e região metropolitana, 2008. A psicometria clássica foi utilizada para analisar as duas amostras independentemente. As hipóteses para evidências de validade de critério do tipo concorrente foram avaliadas com teste de Mann-Whitney. A análise de componentes principais foi utilizada para exploração dos modelos fatoriais. Evidências de fidedignidade foram calculadas com α de Cronbach para escalas e subescalas. A fidedignidade teste-reteste para pessoas com incapacidades intelectuais foi analisada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse e teste de Willcoxon. RESULTADOS Os componentes principais no grupo de pessoas com incapacidades físicas replicou o modelo original apresentado em solução aos dados internacionais do projeto. Foram encontradas evidências de validade discriminante e de fidedignidade teste-reteste. CONCLUSÕES O modelo fatorial transcultural encontrado na amostra internacional do projeto parece adequado para as amostras testadas neste estudo, especialmente a de incapacidades físicas. Depressão, dor, satisfação com a vida e incapacidade parecem ter papel mediador na avaliação da qualidade de cuidado. Pesquisas adicionais são necessárias para o acréscimo de evidências às validades dos instrumentos

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FACTORS IN PRE-FLEDGED FLORIDA SANDHILL CRANE (GRUS CANADENSIS PRATENSIS) CHICKS

One hundred and fifteen Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks were captured in Osceola and Lake Counties, Florida in 1998 - 2000 and examined for evidence of disease. Evidence of Eimeria gruis and/or E. reichenowi infection was found in 52% of chicks examined. Ten chicks were positive for antibodies to St. Louis encephalitis virus and 1 of these chicks was also positive for antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis virus. Predation was the most commonly identified cause of mortality. An unidentified microfilaria, and an unknown protozoan were detected in blood smears from crane chicks. A number of other disease conditions were also encountered, including: ant bites, chigger infestations, helminth infections, bacterial infections, leg problems associated with capture, and a bill deformity

Factors affecting breeding status of wading birds in the Everglades.

This comprehensive final report summarizes the results of a four-year research and monitoring effort (1998 - 2001) designed to document nesting effort and success by wading birds, and to investigate the reproductive physiology and ecology of White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) in the Everglades ecosystem. The monitoring of nesting has been accomplished bystandardized systematic aerial and ground surveys and study of nesting success of nesting colonies in Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) 2 and 3 ofthe central Everglades. The White Ibis work was accomplished through 1) investigation of the nutritional, behavioral, and hormonal aspects of "normal" breeding in a captive colony of Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus ruber, considered by many to be the same species as the White Ibis), and 2) documenting the physiology, nutritional state, breeding phenology, contaminant load, and hormonal status of free- living adult White Ibises in the central Everglades. (364 page document

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS IN FLORIDA WHOOPING CRANES

Two whooping cranes (Grus americana) that were part of separate projects to reintroduce whooping cranes in eastern North America died suddenly in Florida following a few days of abnormal behavior. The first case was a semi-captive bird on ultralight-led migration from Wisconsin to Florida in December 2004. The second case was a molting 10-year-old male and successful wild breeder that died in May, 2005. Clinical signs were lethargy, abnormal posture, isolation followed by attack by other birds, collapse, heart murmur, and death. Eastern equine encephalitis virus (alphavirus) was isolated from the liver of both birds. The most severe lesions were in the intestinal tract and liver. Evidence of exposure in sandhill cranes (G. canadensis) and other released whooping cranes indicate that summertime exposure is relatively frequent, may cause of summertime illness, but only occasionally causes death. These 2 deaths followed months of elevated seroconversion rates in Florida sentinels. Other factors, such as prior exposure, immune status, vaccination, molt or other pre-existing diseases may put individual birds at greater risk

PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHTNING STRIKE AND DROWNING MORTALITY OF WHOOPING CRANES IN FLORIDA

Severe thunderstorms associated with a strong front passing through the Gulf Coast of Florida on the night of 1-2 February 2007 resulted in the death of 17 whooping cranes (Grus americana) penned at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Postmortem examination of 4 of the birds revealed saline fluid in lungs and airsacs consistent with drowning. Coagulation necrosis and other histologic changes in kidney, peripheral nerve, airsac membranes, and heart muscle further indicated electrocution and are comparable to other cases of electrocution associated with power-line strikes in Florida. Aspiration of seawater was the most likely cause of death of birds that were stunned by lightning strike. Tissue changes in some, but probably not all of the birds, would have resulted in death if they had not drowned. Retrospective examination of lightning and tidal records support this presumed cause of death. The pathology associated with lightning strikes has only rarely been illustrated for birds. We provide photos of characteristic lesions and compare them with known power line electrocution cases

INJURIES AND ABNORMALITIES OF SANDHILL CRANES CAPTURED IN FLORIDA

Observations of gross pathological abnormalities were made during handling of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) captured for banding in Florida. One hundred fifty-six of 1,331 (11.7%) cranes examined showed evidence of one or more anomalies that were the result of disease, congenital deformity, or injury. Most frequent were abnormalities of the legs and feet, followed by abnormalities of the bill. Injuries of the eyes, head, and neck were also noted. Many of these birds were observed subsequent to banding and survived for several years with their injuries, though some never succeeded in reproducing