Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease: Incurable Virus Spreads

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Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a zoologist and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.
An exciting new study has revealed that healthy parrots prefer working for their food to The pet trade is being blamed for an emerging epidemic that is threatening captive and wild parrots worldwide. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is caused by a Circovirus that evolves quickly, spreads easily, and survives for years in nests and roosting areas. African Gray and Eclectus Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, Love Birds and Ring-Necked Parakeets are especially susceptible, but over 60 species have been infected. Included among these are wild populations of several endangered species, such as Swift, Orange-Bellied and Norfolk Island Green Parrots. First identified in 1987, PBFD has recently reared its ugly head on New Zealand’s South Island, where it is killing rare Yellow-Crowned Parakeets. Read article here http://bit.ly/1mpd3ss
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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

Thanks, Frank