Seventy-nine raptors from Germany were examined for protozoan parasites in
the breast muscle (musculus pectoralis). One Eurasian buzzard (n = 3) and t
wo long-eared owls (n = 8) were found to be infected with three different t
ypes of Sarcocystis spp. The sarcocyst found in a long-eared owl is the fir
st proof for a Sarcocystis sp. with a wall structure characterised by hair-
like protrusions in a bird as intermediate host. The name Sarcocystis otus
sp. n. is suggested with reference to the host Asio otus. Megaloschizonts o
f haematozoa were found in the skeletal muscle of a marsh harrier (n = 4) a
nd a Eurasian buzzard (n = 3).