<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Avian deformities have been recorded in a variety of bird species all over the world. However, they have not been studied in Nepal, although there are increasing sightings of these deformities. Injuries, genetic mutations, environmental factors, infections, radiation, and other factors can cause deformities. In our study, we collected data from numerous field trips, conversations with bird watchers and experts, and social media posts in Nepal. We reported 24 cases of avian deformities in 16 different bird species across 12 districts in Nepal, suggesting that certain abnormalities persist in a high proportion of previously unstudied birds. We discovered different types of color abnormalities (6 cases of leucism, 3 albinism, 4 partial leucism, 1 brown mutation, 1 melanism, and 3 unidentified color aberration), 5 cases of avian keratin disorder (AKD), and 1 case of both leucism and AKD. The majority of these cases affected corvids and other birds frequently living and nesting near human settlements, indicating that causative agents such as anthropogenic toxicants and environmental degradation could be important contributors. There is a scarcity of research on avian deformities and diseases in Nepal, thus more research on avian abnormalities, such as the pathophysiology of AKD and genetic studies, should be performed.</p>
</abstract>

Avian deformities have been recorded in a variety of bird species all over the world. However, they have not been studied in Nepal, although there are increasing sightings of these deformities. Injuries, genetic mutations, environmental factors, infections, radiation, and other factors can cause deformities. In our study, we collected data from numerous field trips, conversations with bird watchers and experts, and social media posts in Nepal. We reported 24 cases of avian deformities in 16 different bird species across 12 districts in Nepal, suggesting that certain abnormalities persist in a high proportion of previously unstudied birds. We discovered different types of color abnormalities (6 cases of leucism, 3 albinism, 4 partial leucism, 1 brown mutation, 1 melanism, and 3 unidentified color aberration), 5 cases of avian keratin disorder (AKD), and 1 case of both leucism and AKD. The majority of these cases affected corvids and other birds frequently living and nesting near human settlements, indicating that causative agents such as anthropogenic toxicants and environmental degradation could be important contributors. There is a scarcity of research on avian deformities and diseases in Nepal, thus more research on avian abnormalities, such as the pathophysiology of AKD and genetic studies, should be performed.

Records of avian deformities in Nepal

Ornis Hungarica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Records of avian deformities in Nepal"}

Avian deformities have been recorded in a variety of bird species all over the world. However, they have not been studied in Nepal, although there are...

Records of avian deformities in Nepal

Published Online: Dec 09, 2023

Page range: 151 - 164

Received: Jun 26, 2023

Accepted: Jul 19, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0026

Keywords
avian deformity, avian keratin disorder (AKD), albinism, leucism, melanism, environmental degradation

© 2023 Nikeet Pradhan et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Records of avian deformities in Nepal

Published Online: Dec 09, 2023

Page range: 151 - 164

Received: Jun 26, 2023

Accepted: Jul 19, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0026

Keywordsavian deformity, avian keratin disorder (AKD), albinism, leucism, melanism, environmental degradation

© 2023 Nikeet Pradhan et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
avian deformity, avian keratin disorder (AKD), albinism, leucism, melanism, environmental degradation