Serratospiculoides amaculata in a Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Area of Science:

• Avian veterinary medicine
• Parasitology
• Wildlife health

Background:

• Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) are birds of prey susceptible to various parasites.
• Air sac infections can significantly impact avian respiratory health and survival.
• Previous records of Serratospiculoides amaculata infections were primarily in falcons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and report a novel parasitic infection in a Cooper's hawk.
• To document the presence of Serratospiculoides amaculata in a non-falcon raptor species in North America.

Main Methods:

• Routine necropsy and examination of a Cooper's hawk.
• Isolation and identification of nematodes from the thoracic air sacs.

Main Results:

• Nematodes were recovered from the thoracic air sacs of the Cooper's hawk.
• The recovered nematodes were identified as 12 females and 9 males of Serratospiculoides amaculata.
• This represents the first documented case of Serratospiculoides amaculata in a Cooper's hawk.

Conclusions:

• Serratospiculoides amaculata can infect raptors beyond falcons.
• This finding expands the known host range of this nematode in North America.
• Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and impact of this parasite in Cooper's hawk populations.