VARIATION IN CLINICAL-DISEASE AND SPECIES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PSITTACINE BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE IN ZIMBABWEAN LOVEBIRDS

While psittacine beak and feather disease has caused 100 % mortality i n captive flocks of 2 species of native Zimbabwean lovebirds (Agaporni s nigrigensis and A. lilianae), other lovebird species in close contac t with the sick birds have been only transiently affected or not at al l. The clinical course of the disease in affected lovebirds may differ from that reported elsewhere, with recovery in some cases. These diff erences, along with ultrastructural differences may suggest a differen t virus or different strain of virus underlying disease in Zimbabwe.