2025/11/05 by Liam Joyce, Simon Spiro, Eric Diener +2 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies #Avian ecology and behavior #Bird parasitology and diseases
paper · doi:10.1638/2024-0135
openalex publication_date 2025/11/05 · openalex created_date 2025/11/06 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
The Socorro dove (SD; Zenaida graysoni) is an extinct-in-the-wild columbiform once endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico. The future of the species is dependent on the survival of those in human care. This study analyzed 272 postmortem reports across 25 institutions housing SD. Cause of death (COD) was determined in 196 birds: trauma was the most common COD (72/196, 36.7%), overrepresented in males (30/61, 49.2%) and juveniles (13/21, 61.9%). Other major COD included bacterial infection (35/196, 17.9%) and avian pox (16/196, 8.2%). Involvement of the reproductive system in COD was overrepresented in females (18/95, 18.9%). Neonates comprised the most deaths with an undetermined cause (23/40, 57.5%). It is recommended that all deceased SD receive a thorough postmortem examination with gross examination of internal organs, histopathology, and additional diagnostics to confirm COD. Housing SD singly outside of breeding season can reduce instances of intraspecific trauma and emulate natural solitary behavior. Institutions should make note of aggressive interactions between individuals to determine conspecific compatibility and reduce future instances of trauma. Nesting parents should be observed for signs of nest abandonment, so deceased neonates are discovered before autolysis and detailed postmortem examinations can occur.