PARASITIC HELMINTHS OF 6 SPECIES OF HAWKS AND FALCONS IN FLORIDA

Six species of hawks and falcons collected in Florida were examined fo r helminth parasites from 1971-87. A total of 38 helminth species (15 digeneans, one cestode, 20 nematodes, and two acanthocephalans) was re covered from the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus), sharp-shi nned hawk (Accipter striatus), Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), and American kestrel (Falco sparverius). The red-shouldered hawk harbored the most species per infected host (($) over bar x = 5.8) while the A merican kestrel harbored the least (($) over bar x = 1.7). One helmint h species was classified as a host specialist and 16 species as genera lists in raptors. Euryphagic host species such as the red-shouldered h awk and broad-winged hawk harbored more helminth species than more spe cialized feeders such as the red-tailed hawk and Cooper's hawk. Helmin ths were not implicated as the cause of death in any of the hosts exam ined.