2007/06/01 by BD Gartrell, Brett D. Gartrell, C Reid +1 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies #Bird parasitology and diseases #Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
paper · doi:10.1080/00480169.2007.36759
crossref issued 2007/06/01 · crossref published 2007/06/01 · crossref published-print 2007/06/01 · openalex publication_date 2007/06/01 · crossref published-online 2011/02/18 · crossref created 2011/02/18 · crossref deposited 2019/06/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
CASE HISTORY: An adult male kea (Nestor notabilis) in good body condition was found dead at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The bird had previously been involved in behavioural tests of problem-solving ability. CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The bird had substantial subcutaneous and abdominal reserves of fat. The crop contained 20 g of what appeared to be dark chocolate; a conservative estimate of the dose of methylxanthines ingested by the bird was 250 mg/kg theobromine, 20 mg/kg caffeine and 3 mg/kg theophylline. Histopathological examination revealed acute degenerative changes to hepatocytes, renal tubules, and cerebrocortical neurons. DIAGNOSIS: Acute combination methylxanthine toxicity after opportunistic ingestion of chocolate. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report of the pathological findings of methylxanthine toxicity in a wild parrot, and illustrates the need to ensure that kea are protected from the toxic by-products of human habitation, and the difficulties in ensuring this against a neophilic, inquisitive and innovative parrot.