Survey of Blood Parasites in Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures from South Carolina
STEPHEN L. WEBB1, ALAN M. FEDYNICH1,*, SAMANTHA
K. YELTATZIE1, TRAVIS L. DEVAULT2, AND OLIN E. RHODES,
JR.2
Abstract -Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus)
and Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are found throughout many
parts of southeastern North America, but relatively little is known about
the factors that may negatively impact their populations. We surveyed
both species for blood parasites to learn more about factors that may
influence their health. During 2000-2001, 22 Black Vultures and 11 Turkey
Vultures were live-captured at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
Two blood smears from each bird were made on microscope slides, stained,
and examined at 1000x magnifi- cation. A Haemoproteus sp. was
found in blood smears of one Turkey Vulture and microfilariae were detected
in smears of one Black and two Turkey Vultures. We did not detect Leucocytozoon
or Plasmodium in our samples, even though they have been reported
in vultures from other parts of eastern North America.
SREL Reprint #2882
Webb, S. L., A. M. Fedynich, S. K. Yeltatzie, T. L. DeVault and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2005. Survey of blood parasites in black vultures and turkey vultures from South Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist 4:355-360.
