Microbiological study on the enteric tract and eggs from birds of prey during reproduction.

Falconry is widespread all over the world, but the reproduction of birds of prey is usually characterized by high mortality during the incubation period. Moreover, the role of pathogenic bacteria in embryonic death has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens in the enteric tract (i.e. pharynx and cloaca) of birds of prey during reproduction and to understand their role in egg mortality during the incubation period. A total of 432 samples from 38 adult birds, 10 chicks, 50 eggs and 6 incubators were collected and analyzed by standard microbiology procedures. Six S. aureus were isolated from adult birds, 1 from chicks; 9 Salmonella spp. from adult birds, 10 from chicks; 91 E. coli from adult birds, 4 from eggs and 59 from chicks; 53 C. perfringens from adult birds, 35 from eggs, 13 from incubators and 36 from chicks. This study showed that C. perfringens was the predominant species, isolated from all the phases of the reproductive cycle and the eggs. Further studies are necessary to confirm its role in reproductive problems and embryonic death of birds of prey.