HEMATOLOGICAL VALUES FOR FOUR SPECIES OF BIRDS OF PREY

Hematological and blood chemistry values can be obtained easily and are useful in determining the health or general condition of birds (Cooper et al. 1986). To rehabilitate individual raptors or to breed and release endangered birds-of-prey, a knowledge of their normal concentrations of blood constituents is of paramount importance (Lepoutre et al. 1983). While a few hematological values in raptors have been published (Elliot et al. 1974, Cooper 1975, Balasch et al. 1976, Smith and Bush 1978, Hunter and Powers 1980, Gee et al. 1981, Leonard 1982, Lepoutre et al. 1983, Ferrer et al. 1987), data for many parameters such as white blood cells (WBC) counts, proteins and most of the other blood chemistries are scarce or nonexistent for many birds-of-prey. Such parameters are clinically important for diagnosing and monitoring avian medical problems (Leonard 1982, Cooper et al. 1986). Our objective was to provide baseline data on the blood characteristics of four species of captive and protected European raptors. They include Aquila adalberti (Spanish Imperial Eagle), Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle), Neophron pernopterus (Egyptian Vulture), and Gypsfulvus (Griffon Vulture). The Spanish Imperial Eagle inhabits the Iberian Peninsula exclusively and is in acute danger of extinction. Fewer than 40 pairs exist. The Golden Eagle and the Griffon Vulture are rare, and the Egyptian Vulture is a vulnerable species that could become endangered if real protection is not afforded by the Government Agency for the Conservation ofNature (I.C.O.N.A. 1986). Due to the precarious status of these species, raptor recuperation centers and zoological institutions are trying to save them from extinction. A hematological and clinical chemical “screening” is recommended in veterinary diagnosis for all captive-breeding projects and, when possible, for the populations of vulnerable species (Cooper et al. 1986).