Occurrence and prognostic factors of wild birds with fractures in Japan
2004
Marutani, E. (Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture) | Suzuki, K.
The occurrence and prognostic factors of wild birds with fractures were analysed from a survey of 2,189 rescue records for 111 avian species in Japan. Fractures were noted in 16% of all sick or injured wild birds ; 28% of them were released following medical treatment. Wing fractures accounted for 37% of the total, excluding instances when the fracture site was unknown, and greatly surpassed fractures at other sites (22%). Body size was a major factor in the healing of fractures for wild birds. Regardless of the fracture site and type (open or closed), more than 30% of larger birds were returned to nature in a fit state. An open wing fracture, however, was particularly devastating for smaller birds. The period of captivity clearly lengthened with a wing fracture, often leading to nearly 3 months of captivity until release. The results of this survey suggest that further studies on treatment for wing fractures to smaller birds and construction of a management program that grasps the flow from rehabilitation to release as a series of processes are vital.
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