HEMATOZOA OF RAPTORS FROM SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY AND ADJACENT AREAS

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Abstract
Blood smears from 259 birds of 12 species [Accipiter cooperii, A. striatus, Buteo jamaicensis, B. platypterus, Circus cyaneus, Cathartes aura, Falco columbarius, F. sparverius, Aegolius acadicus, Bubo virginianus, Otus asio and Strix varia] representing 4 families of raptors, from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia were examined for blood parasites. Infected birds constituted 59.1% of the total. Birds were infected with 1 or more of the following genera of protozoa: Leucocytozoon (43.2%); Haemoproteus (21.6%); Plasmodium (1.2%); and Trypanosoma (1.2%). Blood culture of 142 raptors of 11 species for Trypanosoma revealed a prevalence of 41.5%. Plasmodium circumflexum is reported for the 1st time in A. striatus, and Trypanosoma sp. in B. jamaicensis.