Defective wing development in black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) - case report

Abstract

In 2000-2001 juvenile individuals of black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) were repeatedly found in a Nadeje fishpond system in the Trebon Basin Area that were incapable of flying, with deformed wings. The inves­tigation proved the rotation of metacarpal bones and luxation of the carpal joint. The Roentgen photograph did not show any consequences of any fracture, but this was evidently a post-traumatic state. A possible explanation is traumatisation of developing wings in young birds that got stuck by their wings in viscous mud around the nest colony.

Keywords

• black-headed gull (larus ridibundus)
• luxation
• rotation
• metacarpal bones
• carpal joint