Parasitic survey of birds of prey used for falconry in Poland

Birds of prey raised in captivity have direct contact with the environment and are fed raw meat various animals, which increases the risk of infections caused by parasites, including endoparasites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endoparasites in predatory birds of the orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes that are used in falconry in Poland. Fresh feces were sampled from 52 birds, including 16 saker falcons (Falco cherrug), 8 lanner falcons (Falco biarmicus), 7 peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), 8 Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus), 7 Eurasian goshawks (Accipiter gentilis), 3 common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), 1 Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), 1 red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and 1 common buzzard (Buteo buteo). Fecal samples were analyzed with the use of Fülleborn's floatation technique and the McMaster method (OPG/EPG). Dispersive forms of parasites were identified in 17 out of 52 fecal samples (32.69%). Protozoa of the genus Avispora and Nematodes of the genera Porrocaecum sp and Capillaria were detected. The predominant parasites were roundworms (Porrocaecum sp) which were identified in 27% of the samples. Polish falconers were surveyed to obtain information about bird rearing conditions, the administered feed, contact with wild fauna, incidence of parasitic infections, and the applied treatments. The survey showed that the housing conditions ensured contact with wild fauna, and the majority of owners (63.6%) feed their birds with part of the game they caught. The majority (81%) of falconers did not notice any clinical signs of infection in their infected birds, indicating the need to examine them regularly. The results of the survey were compared with the findings of the parasitological analysis. This study reports on the prevalence of endoparasites in birds of prey, and the present findings can be used by falconers to optimize the management and welfare of predatory birds.