Radiographic measurements of cardiac silhouette and skeletal landmarks in companion galahs ( Eolophus roseicapilla ) and sulphur‐crested cockatoos ( Cacatua galerita )

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac disease is common in companion birds, yet its diagnosis remains a challenge due to limited validated tests. Radiography is frequently used to assess cardiac size in birds; however, interspecies variation necessitates species-specific reference intervals. This study aimed to establish the cardiac silhouette in companion galahs (Eolophus roseicapilla) and sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita). METHODS: Ventrodorsal (VD) and laterolateral (LL) radiographs of 30 adult galahs and 21 adult cockatoos were obtained from medical records that were admitted to the University of Queensland Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2013 to 2023. In the VD view, cardiac width (CW) was measured with other anatomical landmarks including thoracic width (TW), clavicular distance (ClD), coracoid width (CoW) and 3rd-4th rib distance (RD). In the LL view, the cardiac length (CL) was measured and correlated to sternal length (SL). RESULTS: , p < 0.021). The 25th-75th percentile range (PR) for CW:TW ranged from 52 to 62.5% and 60-65% in cockatoos and galahs, respectively. CONCLUSION: In galahs, CW correlated positively with the TW, and the 25th-75th PR for CW:TW should be 60%-65%. In cockatoos, the CW is better correlated to the CoW and ClD with the 25th-75th PRI of 549.5%-609.5% and 91.5%-103.0% respectively. The cardiac silhouette was larger in galahs than in cockatoos.