A Conversation for Pitohui Birds
Pithohui feather toxin
uuglypher Started conversation Jun 24, 2007
Has it been determined if the toxin is within the keratin of the feather or if it has been deposited on the feather by the act of preening - which would suggest that it was incorporated into the sebum-like secretion of the uropygial gland ("preen gland"). If the latter, is it also in the subcutaneous and other fat stores of the bird's body? Sounds like a fat-soluble toxin to me.
The report that merely touching the feather enabled the toxin to be transferred by the hand to the lips/mouth of the investigator suggests that the toxin has to be deposited on the plumage raher than be incorporated into the feather keratin during pterylogenesis.
David Graham, (Veterinary Pathologist, Ret.)
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Pithohui feather toxin
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