AEROBIC BACTERIAL-FLORA OF ADDLED RAPTOR EGGS IN SASKATCHEWAN

In south-central Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1986, 1987 and 1989, the aer obic bacterial flora was evaluated from 75 unhatched raptor eggs of th reo species: 42 of tile Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), 21 of tile ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), and 12 of the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). In addled Swainson's hawk eggs, the most common bacteri al genera were Enterobacter (18 eggs), Escherichia (12), and Streptoco ccus (10). Seven great horned owl eggs and six ferruginous hawk eggs a lso contained Escherichia coli. Salmonella spp. were not isolated. The se bacteria were interpreted as secondary contaminants and not the pri mary cause of reproductive failure.