The helminth fauna of birds of prey (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) in the Netherlands

• Main Authors: Borgsteede, F.H.M., Okulewicz, A., Zoun, P.E.F., Okulewicz, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: owls; parasites; Accipiter gentilis
• Online Access: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/the-helminth-fauna-of-birds-of-prey-accipitriformes-falconiformes

Eighteen species of birds of prey in Netherlands were examined for helminth parasites: Accipitriformes - Accipiter gentilis (15 birds), A. nisus (9), Aquila pomarina (1), Buteo buteo (56), B. lagopus (4), Circaetus gallicus (2), Circus aeruginosus (2), C. cyaneus (3), Pernis apivorus (5); Falconiformes - Falco columbarius (2), F. peregrinus (2), F. subbuteo (6), F. tinnunculus (31); Strigiformes - Asio flammeus (3), A. otus (35), Athene noctua (12), Strix aluco (19) and Tyto alba (15). Sixteen nematode species were found: Baruscapillaria falconis, Capillaria tenuissima, Eucoleus dispar, Pterothominx caudinflata, Cyathostoma americana, Porrocaecum angusticolle, P. depressum, P. spiralae, Physaloptera alata, P. apivori, Procyrnea leptoptera, P. seurati, P. spinosa, Spirocerca lupi, Synhimantus laticeps and Diplotriaena henryi. All species of birds were infected with nematodes with the exception of F. peregrinus. Eleven trematode species were present: Brachylaeme fuscatus, Echinostoma revolutum, Echinoparyphium agnatum, Strigea falconis, S. strigis, Parastrigea flexilis, Neodiplostomum spathoides, N. attenuatum, Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus and Prosthogonimus cuneatus. Trematode infections were found in all birds except A. nisus, C. cyaneus, P. apivorus, F. columbarius, F. peregrinus and A. flammeus. Centrorhynchus aluconis was the only identifiable acanthocephalan. Acanthocephalan infections were seen in A. nisus, B. buteo, C. gallicus, C. aeruginosus and S. aluco. Cestode infections were seen in 8 bird species. The cestodes could not be identified to the genus, because they were poorly preserved. Most findings are new host records for Netherlands.