Trichomoniasis in a Bonelli's eagle population in Spain

During 1980-97, trichomoniasis was detected in nestlings of Bonelli's eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus in Catalonia (Spain). In 1993 Trichomonas gallinae wa s isolated in 36% of nestlings (n = 39) and affected 41% of broods (n = 22) . Overall, trichomoniasis was one of the most important single nestling mor tality factor, accounting for 22% of total chick mortality and causing the death of 2% of chicks. Trichomoniasis deaths took place during the second h alf of the nestling period. The median age at death was 45.5 days. Although the presence of the parasite was not related to the composition of the die t or parental age, pairs that developed the disease ate more pigeons and in cluded more often non-adult birds. At present trichomoniasis apparently has little demographic impact on the Bonelli's eagle population in Catalonia, but the eventual spread of this disease in chicks and its unknown effects o n adults might be of concern.