Helminths isolated from the digestive tract of diurnal raptors in Catalonia, Spain

• Published in: Veterinary record Vol. 154; no. 1; pp. 17 - 20
• Main Authors: Ferrer, D., Molina, R., Adelantado, C., Kinsella, J. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Limited 03-01-2004; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Bird Diseases - epidemiology; Bird Diseases - parasitology; Helminthiasis, Animal - epidemiology; Helminthiasis, Animal - parasitology; Helminths - classification; Helminths - isolation & purification; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - parasitology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - veterinary; Prevalence; Raptors; Spain - epidemiology; Spain
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.154.1.17

The prevalence of parasitic helminths in the digestive tract of 119 diurnal raptors (Falconiformes), which had died in a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Catalonia, was studied. The birds belonged to 13 species, with 100 of them (84 percent) being kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), buzzards (Buteo buteo), sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and goshawks (Accipitergentilis). Ninety-five of the birds (79.8 percent) were infected with helminths. Nematodes were the most frequently found helminth (75.6 percent), followed by trematodes, cestodes and ancanthocephalans. All the buzzards and sparrowhawks and 92 per cent of the goshawks were infected, but only 59 percent of the kestrels were infected.