Hemoparasites identified in birds of prey in the mesoregion of Triangulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Hemoparasitosis are common in birds of prey and cause changes in reproductive status and therefore susceptibility to predator attacks. This work evaluated the prevalence of hemoparasites in those birds in the region of Triangulo Mineiro, Brazil. Were analyzed 55 birds of the orders Accipitriformes (n=12), Falconiformes (n=11), Strigiformes (n=21) and Cathartiformes (n=11) allocated in Federal University of Uberlandia and Hospital Veterinário de Uberaba. Parasitological analyses were performed on the blood smear, confirming parasitism in 78,18% (43/55) of the animals. Accipitriformes showed statistically lower parasitism (33,3% - 4/12) than Falconiformes (90,9 – 10/11). Plasmodium spp. Infection was observed in 43 birds (78,18%), and one (2,32%) mixed infection with Babesia spp. and Plasmodium spp. No hemoparasites were observed in the species Elanus leucurus and Falco peregrinus. We conclude that the birds evaluated showed a high rate of parasitism by Plasmodium spp. and Caracara plancus had an unprecedented infection by Babesia spp. It suggested studies for identification, taxonomic and epidemiological.