Prevalence of haematozoa in birds of prey in Catalonia, north-east Spain

Blood samples from birds of prey, 95 Strigiformes and 190 Falconiformes, we re examined for the presence of haematozoan parasites. The birds had been a dmitted to a raptor recovery centre in Catalonia, north-east Spain. parasit es were counted in positive smears. A second blood sample was obtained from 99 birds at least seven days after their arrival at the centre. Haematozoa were detected in all seven species of Strigiformes and in nine of 19 speci es of Falconiformes. The overall prevalences in the two groups were signifi cantly different, 30.5 per cent and 46.3 per cent in the nocturnal and diur nal raptors, respectively. Eleven species of haematozoan parasites were ide ntified. The genus most commonly detected in members of the nocturnal Strig iformes was Leucocytozoon, followed by Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Trypano soma. in the diurnal Falconiformes only Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus were detected. The highest infection rates were found in Accipiter nisus (sparr ow hawks), accipiter gentilis (goshawks) and Athene noctua (little owls). R elapses were detected in 9 per cent of the birds sampled twice. The highest intensity of infection (6.2 per cent) was observed in a Buteo buteo (buzza rd) infected with Haemoproteus.