Among the substances produced by birds are the secretions of the
uropygial gland, which may be pigmented orange, red or yellow.
There is a striking morphological diversity of the
uropygial gland in regard to size, shape and the presence or absence of the tuft of feathers (Jacob and Ziswiler, 1982; Johnston, 1988; Montalti and Salibian, 2000).
Additionally, the physical examination revealed a mildly distended coelomic cavity and an enlarged, fluid-filled
uropygial gland.
In 1 report, a methicillin-resistant S aureus was isolated from the
uropygial gland of a Congo African grey parrot." In this case, the inciting lesion was thought to be caused by a fall; however, evidence suggested that the bird may have been irritated in the area before the event.
Vitamin [D.sub.3] precursors are present in
uropygial gland secretions.
(3) It can also manifest as localized infections of the oral cavity or beak, rhinitis, deep proventriculitis, or, rarely, lesions in the cloaca, skin,
uropygial gland, feet, or pericardium.
This study was performed to determine the histologic structure of the
uropygial gland in an osprey.
Preen oil may be important for the plumage condition of birds that possess a
uropygial gland, as well as for waterproofing, in some avian species.
In birds, adenomas have been reported most often to arise from the pituitary gland in budgerigars (17,18) but have also been described to arise from the
uropygial gland, pancreas, thyroid gland, (19) and kidney.
In the other described cases, the skin on various body areas near the beak,
uropygial gland, thigh, and neck were affected.
The chapter further describes specialized adnexal structures, such as the
uropygial gland and feathers.
(9,11) Anatomic locations of squamous cell carcinoma described in captive and free-ranging birds include the tongue, pharynx, gastrointestinal system,
uropygial gland, and upper beak as well as the skin of the head, eyelids, neck, chest, wings, and legs.
