Parrots in Peril: Beak and Feather Disease Virus in wild Australian psittacines

Infectious diseases are a major threat to global biodiversity. Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV) is a generalist pathogen with high mutation rates. All Australian psittacine species and most if not all psittacines globally are considered to be susceptible. This is of great concern, as psittacines are one of the most threatenedbird orders world-wide. Furthermore, BFDV has recently been found in several non-psittacine bird species. It is listed as a “key threatening process to biodiversity” by the Australian Commonwealth Government. BFDV can lead to immunosuppressive and fatal disease, and has severely impacted critically endangered species like the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). To date, there is no treatment available. In spite of these conservation and welfare impacts, little research has been done on BFDV in wild host populations.