ABSTRACT:In the present work we study the prevalence of fungal flora in the tracheal epithelium of wild birds in a rehabilitation centre. Two hundred and sixteen birds representing 26 species from seven orders were sampled. Yeasts and moulds were isolated from 92 of the birds sampled (42.5%); in 24.5% only yeasts, in 12.5% only moulds and in 5.5% both moulds and yeasts together. The cattle egret was where the greatest number of animals with positive isolation was detected. The prevalence of yeasts shows significant differences between raptors and Ciconiiformes. Within the yeast flora, basically there were strains belonging to the genus Candida, mainly C. albicans. In the moulds, almost a half of them belonged to the genus Aspergillus.

The trematode Cathaemasia hians is recorded for the first time in nestling Black storks, and for the first time in Black storks in Spain. The parasite was found in the upper part of the oesophagus of Black storks (Ciconia nigra). Presence of this parasite in three nestlings raises the possibility of completion of the parasite's life cycle in Europe. In addition, a sub-adult bird recuperating from bone fractures was also found to be infected. C. hians is apparently absent from the more common white stork (Ciconia ciconia) from the same area. The different feeding behaviour of the two species of storks may account for this.

No abstract

Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, often referred to as 'megabacterium', is an ascomycetous yeast usually found colonizing the mucosal surface of the isthmus existing between the glandular and grinding stomach of a wide diversity of bird species. However, this yeast can also behave as an avian pathogen, therefore representing a potential threat to bird breeding. The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence and patterns of fecal shedding of M. ornithogaster in a colony of healthy canary birds (Serinus canaria) bred in captivity. Fresh fecal samples from 39 canaries (17 males and 22 females) were cultured in liquid media for M. ornithogaster enrichment. Only two clinically healthy females were fecal culture-positive for the yeast, which represents an overall prevalence of 5.13% in the sampled population. A close surveillance of the two culture-positive canaries, which included periodical microscopic examination of fresh stool samples, showed prolonged fecal shedding of M. ornithogaster. Nevertheless, both animals remained asymptomatic throughout the study period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the continuous shedding of M. ornithogaster by clinically healthy canaries.

A redescription of Babesia moshkovskii, a piroplasm of Accipitridae is presented. Neohapantotype slides have been designated from griVon vultures in Spain.