![]() Gouldians, Australian finches and Canaries are most susceptible to airsac mite infestations (respiratory acariasis). Heavy infestations cause breathing difficulties, wheezing, open mouth breathing and death in fledglings and adult birds. Infections cause nestling, fledgling and adult deaths and are often the underlying cause of other diseases in finch aviaries.Īirsac mite (Sternostoma tracheacolum) is an internal parasite that lives in airways and airsacs to cause irritation and respiratory infection. The irritation caused by these pests prevents finches from resting properly and tires breeding birds so that they cannot perform optimally. This dormancy may be lifted when immunity levels suffer as a result of physiological stress factors.Īirsac mite infections are an underestimated cause of decreased breeding performance and health in finches. A good immunity holds the nymphal stage in dormancy for an undetermined but indefinite time. This region is an immunological privileged site where the mite may develop freely undetected by the immune system. Immunity holds the infection dormant by preventing the 1st immobile nymphal stage, which stays in the lungs from developing into the 2nd nymphal form which is mobile and moves to the posterior airsacs where it may then develop into adult mites. The rate at which the lifecycle develops depends upon the health and immunity of the bird. Males and female mites mate to produce eggs. This female form can survive outside the body for 2 days or more when conditions are humid. ![]() Male mites live largely in lung tissue and females (non-gravid non-engorged) move up towards mouth from posterior airsac to position themselves in trachea syrinx etc and then into nasal cavities where they infect other birds. Juveniles are most susceptible to infection during weaning, fledging and the moult.Īdults are most susceptible to infection at the conclusion of the moult and during the courtship period.Įggs are laid in lung tissue by pregnant (engorged - gravid) females, as there is a rich supply of blood food here when the eggs hatch into larvae.ġst nymphal stage (larvae) stays in lungs and is thought to be immobile.Ģnd nymphal stage moves towards posterior airsac where they complete their development into adult mites when immunity levels drop. Nestlings are susceptible to infection by direct contact with infected parents. Overcrowding increase likelihood of spread from one bird to the next - especially via the drinking water.Īirsac Mite infection is more common during humid weather. when birds are clicking or gaping) as the disease spreads much more quickly at this time.Ĭonditions that increase the likelihood of airsac mite infection include: low grade infections) rather than when female: male ratio (symptomatic infection i.e. ![]() It is much easier to control infection when male:female ratio is high (i.e. Repeat treatments at monthly intervals are required to break the life cycle of the mite during times when physiological stress may initiate a sudden onset type of infection. In order to prevent airsac mite infection it is necessary to start prevention prior to the start of the peak moult period (late August in the Southern Hemisphere and late February in the Northern Hemisphere) and to continue through until the end of the breeding season. male mites predominate) may suddenly become dangerously ill, as there is a sudden influx of female mites as the completed life cycle may be as short as 6 days because of the ability of male mites to fertilise themselves and lay many eggs in the lungs. When physiological stress levels are too high, birds with low-grade infections (i.e. Symptoms are less obvious but include lack of vitality and moult problems. In mild ongoing infections male mites predominate so that symptoms are less pronounced as the males are small and largely live in the lung tissue. The female is responsible for the spread of the disease to other birds. Their presence in the syrinx is responsible for the typical symptoms of infection - gaped breathing and clicking sounds. ![]() Female mites are much larger than male mites and prefer to live in the upper respiratory tract - trachea, syrinx, nasal cavities, sinuses and mouth. This sudden onset type of infection is dangerous because it produces a sudden influx of female (non-gravid/non-engorged) mites. The most harmful effects occur when severe symptoms of infection appear suddenly across the aviary. during and immediately after the moult and during the breeding season) although airsac mite problems may occur at any time of the year. Infection in captive flocks is most likely to occur during periods of physiological stress (i.e. Airsac Mite Infection in Captive Gouldian FinchesĪirsac mites are naturally occurring in wild Gouldian finches.
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