Birds Of Prey Research Articles

Optimizing avian translocation success: A systematic review of the effect of release age on survival, dispersal, and productivity

AbstractThe success of avian translocations depends on many factors. Release age is often cited as an influential factor that warrants further study, yet no general guidelines exist to improve the outcome of translocations. We conducted a systematic review of literature on captive‐reared or wild‐caught birds that incorporated >1 age class in their analyses of post‐release survival, dispersal, or reproduction. Fifty‐two studies met our search criteria, and 39 were retained for an evaluation of post‐release survival. For studies reporting at least one trend, more reported higher post‐release survival when birds were translocated at younger ages (68%) than at older ages (32%). This pattern was most pronounced for wild‐caught birds and for captive‐reared birds released within their first year of life. Captive‐reared birds of prey were an exception, with birds released at older ages often having higher survival than birds released at younger ages. We review the authors' hypotheses for why birds released at younger ages are more likely to settle, survive, and breed. More research is needed on the potential effects of release age on dispersal and reproduction. We recommend that future studies incorporate age of release as a covariate and control for the effect of season of release in experiments.

Mercury in liver and feathers of some birds of prey in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil: Preliminary results

Birds of prey at higher trophic levels are particularly vulnerable to mercury pollution and can serve as indicators of trace elements in different ecosystems. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of mercury in feathers and livers in some birds of prey that occur in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eleven livers were collected from birds of pray during routine necropsies performed at the Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden, and the feathers from animals in rehabilitation/release process. The results showed mercury concentrations ranged from 0.5 mg / kg to 1.3074 mg / kg in livers and from 0.3376 mg / kg to 3.000 mg / kg in feathers. Liver samples can be collected through invasive methods like biopsies, which involve anesthesia and handling of the bird, or during routine necropsies in zoological collections, breeding grounds, and from deceased birds found in the field, especially those affected by trampling or firearm injuries. Alternatively, analyzing feathers for mercury provides a practical, cost-effective, and non-invasive method that avoids risking harm to the bird's physical well-being.

Footedness in merlins: Raptors perching in a cold climate

ABSTRACT Perching or standing on one foot is commonly reported in birds but the level of consistency in using one foot over the other has been less-well documented in most species, particularly birds of prey. For birds experiencing colder temperatures, unipedal perching has been attributed to limiting heat loss through unfeathered legs and feet; individuals should spend longer periods of time perched on one foot as temperatures decrease. Using radio tracking, I collected 486 hours of observations on nine overwintering, free-living merlins (Falco columbarius) in Saskatoon, Canada. Five merlins displayed clear preferences to perch on one foot, however the direction of preference was not consistent and four birds were ambidextrous. There was a curvilinear response in the proportion of time spent in unipedal posture versus temperature, with a peak of ∼22% of the time at moderate temperatures (−10 to −19°C), but lower values at warmer and colder temperatures; the main effect of the squared term for temperature was highly influential while individual foot preference had no impact on the use of unipedal perching. Although preferential use of one foot for perching was displayed by some individuals, thermoregulation may not be the primary driver of this behaviour at colder temperatures.

Brachial plexus block associated with balanced anesthesia in caracara plancus for fracture treatment

This study demonstrates the efficacy of brachial plexus block combined with balanced anesthesia in the treatment of fractures in Caracara plancus, an area rarely explored in veterinary medicine. An adult male caracara with a left humeral fracture was successfully treated using a multimodal anesthetic approach. The combination of dexmedetomidine, ketamine, midazolam, and morphine provided effective anesthesia, resulting in muscle relaxation and hemodynamic stability. The brachial plexus block, performed with the aid of a nerve stimulator, was essential for segmental analgesia. The anesthetic protocol employed allowed for the entire surgical procedure to be conducted pain-free and safely. Postoperative recovery was rapid and uncomplicated, with bone consolidation confirmed by radiographs. It is concluded that the brachial plexus block combined with balanced anesthesia is a viable and safe option for orthopedic procedures in birds of prey

Hearing Assessment of Free-Ranging Owls and Implications for Wildlife Rehabilitation: 31 Cases (2014-2023).

Owls, members of the avian order Strigiformes, are nocturnal birds of prey that are found worldwide except for Antarctica. Traumatized, free-ranging owls are commonly presented to veterinary hospitals and wildlife rehabilitation facilities with the goal of providing medical care and rehabilitation to enable release back into their natural habitat. Minimal guidelines exist for the release of wildlife, and whereas a need for functional vision is described in raptors, assessing and evaluating hearing is usually not mentioned. This can be problematic for nocturnal predators because hearing is the primary sense utilized by owls when hunting and navigating in their dark environment. The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test is a minimally invasive, objective assessment of hearing commonly used in companion animals. To the authors' knowledge, routine or standardized BAER evaluation has not been reported in traumatized, free-ranging owls. In the following retrospective study, 31 free-ranging owls presented to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital for known or suspected trauma or being found in a debilitated state underwent BAER testing to assess for the presence of complete sensorineural hearing loss. Similar to assessment of hearing in companion animals, the BAER test was elicited using a broad click stimulus delivered at 85 dB nHL. In all owls, qualitative assessment and peak latency measurements of the BAER test reflected hearing ability. This study highlights the importance of hearing in nocturnal raptors, how BAER testing can aid in decision making regarding rehabilitation, and provides a foundation for further investigation of hearing loss in traumatized owls. We suggest that veterinarians working with free-ranging owls in a rehabilitation setting should consider BAER testing as part of routine diagnostic testing.

New records of Suncus etruscus (Soricidae, Mammalia) and its current status in Bulgaria

We present 17 new records of Suncus etruscus in Bulgaria, and the first finding of the species north of Stara Planina Mountains. The species is recorded in the diet of three owl species - Tyto alba, Asio otus and Athene noctua, and one bird of prey - Aquila heliaca. The bulk of records originated from T. alba, in the rest raptor species it is taken randomly and consists negligible part of their diet. Additionally, five dead shrews were used, which provided hard evidence for the presence of S. etruscus in north Bulgaria. All data on the species distribution in Bulgaria are summarised and the roads for its invasion are discussed. Climate change is considered as an expansion trigger for spreading of the Etruscan shrew.

Bill shape variation in selected species in birds of prey.

At the top of many ecosystems, raptors, also known as birds of prey, hold major influence. They shape their surroundings through their powerful hunting skills and complex interactions with their environment. This study investigates the beak morphology of four prominent raptor species, Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Common buzzard (Buteo buteo), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), found in Türkiye. By employing geometric morphometric methods, we investigate shape variations in the beaks of these species to unravel the adaptive significance of their cranial structures. This analysis reveals distinct beak morphologies among the studied raptors, reflecting adaptations to their feeding habits, hunting techniques and ecological niches. The results from Principal component analysis and Canonical variate analysis demonstrate significant differences in beak morphology between the Falconiformes and Accipitriformes clades, as well as among all three groups. The overall mean beak shapes of Golden Eagles are quite similar to Common Buzzards, with both species having longer beaks. In contrast, Falcons exhibit a distinctly different beak morphology, characterized by wider and shorter beaks. Changes in beak shape can lead to changes depending on the skull. It is thought that skull shape variations among predator families may have an impact on beak shape. These findings highlight the importance of integrating morphometric analyses with ecological insights to enhance our understanding of the evolutionary processes shaping raptor beak morphology.

Results of Epizootiological Survey of the Territories of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2015–2022

Introduction: Systematic studies of endemic zoonotic diseases on the Crimean Peninsula resumed in 2015 after a long break. Objective: To specify boundaries and determine epizootiological activity of the natural foci of infectious diseases in the Crimea and to update the list of possible reservoir hosts and vectors based on the results of field studies conducted in 2015–2022. Materials and methods: Counting and trapping of small mammals, ixodid ticks and mosquitoes, collecting of pellets of birds of prey, sampling of water and other zoological and entomological materials were carried out in the Crimea in the years 2015 to 2022. Results and discussion: According to the results of epidemiological and epizootiological monitoring of the Crimean Peninsula, the samples tested positive for tularemia were collected on the territory of 14 administrative entities, leptospirosis – 21, hantaviruses – 12, tick-borne encephalitis – 2, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – 7, Lyme borreliosis – 21, West Nile fever – 3, Q fever – 2, Marseilles fever – 6, monocytic ehrlichiosis – 1, and granulocytic anaplasmosis – 8 entities. A new hantavirus was identified in the Leninsky district. Positive findings of markers of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus were registered not only in the main vector, but also in other species of ixodid ticks. True boundaries of the natural foci of Lyme borreliosis in the Crimea were much wider and ran through both forest and steppe zones. A stable reproducing population of epidemiologically significant Ae. albopictus mosquitoes was found on the southern coast of Crimea. Conclusions: Based on the findings, we specified the boundaries and confirmed the activity of natural foci of infectious diseases during the study period, updated sources of infections, reservoir hosts and vectors, and compiled the “List of enzootic (endemic) territories of the Crimea, on which circulation of infectious agents common to humans and animals was found based on the results of field material studies in 2015–2022,” all facilitating managerial decisions on prevention of natural focal infections.

The fossil avian assemblage from Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) during the Late Pleistocene to Holocene transition

The end of the Pleistocene to the Holocene is a moment of particular interest, as several environmental changes coincided with some significant culture shifts: the Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic and the Palaeolithic to Neolithic transitions. Here we present the analysis of the environmental conditions during this period in the Northeast Iberian Peninsula, based on the bird remains from Cova Foradada (Calafell, Tarragona), a site known for its archaeological record, including the symbolic use of imperial eagle phalanges. The stratigraphic sequence of the site is divided into five units, spanning from the Late Pleistocene (Units V to III) to the Northgrippian (Units II and I). A total of 1310 avian remains from these five units have been analysed, revealing the presence of at least 25 bird taxa. This suggests a landscape dominated by open areas with forest or scattered trees. The presence of four species, currently absent around the site, could be related to habitat expansions during colder periods, or to sporadic visits to the area. The layers in Unit IV show a trend towards a reduction in woodlands and an increase of open areas, which may be related to the Heinrich 4 event (ca. 40Ka). The layers in Unit III show the lowest proportion of woodlands and the highest proportions or rocky areas in the sequence. In the Holocene units the presence of water bodies is indicated by the presence of aquatic taxa. Diurnal birds of prey appear to be the main contributors to the bird accumulation, and probably also contributed to the accumulation of leporids. The impact of humans on birds at the site has been documented in several remains, confirming the mixed origin of the avian accumulation and contributing to increasing cases of interaction between humans and large diurnal raptors during Iberian prehistory.

Diet and multi-taxa neo-taphonomy of Glaucidium nana (Aves, Strigiformes) from southeastern Patagonia and comparisons with G. brasilianum from Chaco forest and other owls

ABSTRACT The diet and neo-taphonomy of Glaucidium nana (Aves, Strigiformes), evaluated from pellets and leftover prey recovered in nest-boxes from a National Park of southeastern Patagonia are studied. Comparative evaluations are conducted with microvertebrate samples obtained from other raptors, particularly those of G. brasilianum from the Chaco forest in Argentina. The diet of G. nana reported here agrees with the generalist trophic behaviour of this species already documented, which feeds on invertebrate (insects and arachnids) and vertebrate prey (amphibian, reptiles, birds and mammals), mainly caviomorph rodents heavier than itself. The taphonomic attributes allow us to place the two species of Glaucidium in the moderate modification category. They could deposit their diet remains in several open-air sites, mainly in wooded and rocky areas, where the cavity nests are located. Later, their bone accumulation –composed of microvertebrates with evidence of moderate bone modifications and/or with articulated skulls and limb bones without digestive corrosion- might integrate into the lithosphere. Understanding the trophic interactions between predators and prey, and their taphonomic signatures, as well as identifying their nesting areas, is crucial for archaeology/palaeontology analysis and for developing effective conservation and management strategies within protected areas.

Dynamic interactions at birdfeeders: Attracting both prey and predators across urban and rural habitats

Winter is a critical period for the survival of local bird species in temperate regions. Some wintering birds may rely on transient food, such as that provided at birdfeeders, but bird communities around birdfeeders may also attract predators. However, these effects of birdfeeders on interspecific interactions between birds and their predators remain largely unexplored and have so far not been tested experimentally. We hypothesized that birdfeeders indirectly attract predators in winter because of the attraction of small birds, and tested this hypothesis using experimental feeders at 52 different urban and rural sites across western Poland. We found that the number of small birds increased around birdfeeders, particularly those with provided food. We found that birdfeeders that attracted more small birds (regardless of whether they provided food) attracted also more predators, such as sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus and feral cats Felis domesticus. Moreover, birdfeeders in urban habitats attracted relatively fewer small birds but not fewer predators compared to those in rural areas. Altogether, birdfeeders with food provided attracted small prey birds but they attracted also more predators, whose presence may hinder small birds from fully utilizing available resources, potentially impacting their winter survival through direct (mortality) and indirect (increased monitoring and vigilance) effects.

Methodological Selection of Optimal Features for Object Classification Based on Stereovision System.

With the expansion of green energy, more and more data show that wind turbines can pose a significant threat to some endangered bird species. The birds of prey are more frequently exposed to collision risk with the wind turbine blades due to their unique flight path patterns. This paper shows how data from a stereovision system can be used for an efficient classification of detected objects. A method for distinguishing endangered birds from common birds and other flying objects has been developed and tested. The research focused on the selection of a suitable feature extraction methodology. Both motion and visual features are extracted from the Bioseco BPS system and retested using a correlation-based and a wrapper-type approach with genetic algorithms (GAs). With optimal features and fine-tuned classifiers, birds can be distinguished from aeroplanes with a 98.6% recall and 97% accuracy, whereas endangered birds are delimited from common ones with 93.5% recall and 77.2% accuracy.

Anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in common buzzards: Impact of new rules for rodenticide use

Rodenticides are a key component of rodent management strategies, but birds of prey are susceptible to non-target exposure. New rules on sale and use of rodenticide products were introduced across the UK in 2016 in an industry-led stewardship scheme, with the aim of reducing this risk. To determine if this intervention has achieved its aim, exposure to second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) was measured in buzzards. Liver samples from 790 buzzards collected between 2005 and 2022 (excluding 2016 and 2017 samples) were analyzed and the percentage presence and concentrations of SGARs from pre-stewardship and post-stewardship samples were compared.There was no statistically significant decrease in the percentage of buzzards exposed to bromadiolone, difenacoum or combined SGAR residues after the introduction of stewardship. The percentage of buzzards exposed to brodifacoum increased significantly post-stewardship, from 8 % to 27 %. There were no significant decreases in the concentrations of individual SGARs post-stewardship but concentration of combined SGARs increased significantly post-stewardship. Individual buzzards were significantly more likely to be exposed to multiple SGARs post-stewardship.Rodenticide poisoning was recorded as the cause of death for 5 % of pre- and post-stewardship buzzards with detectable levels of SGARs, and 90 % of these had combined SGAR residues >0.1 mg/kg.These findings suggest that the industry-led stewardship scheme has not yet had the intended impact of reducing SGAR exposure in non-target wildlife. The study highlights a substantial increase in exposure of buzzards to brodifacoum and to multiple SGARs post-stewardship, indicating that further changes to the stewardship scheme may be necessary.

Detection of Salmonella Reservoirs in Birds of Prey Hosted in an Italian Wildlife Centre: Molecular and Antimicrobial Resistance Characterisation.

In the European Union, salmonellosis is one of the most important zoonoses reported. Poultry meat and egg products are the most common food matrices associated with Salmonella presence. Moreover, wild and domestic animals could represent an important reservoir that could favour the direct and indirect transmission of pathogens to humans. Salmonella spp. can infect carnivorous or omnivorous wild birds that regularly ingest food and water exposed to faecal contamination. Birds kept in captivity can act as reservoirs of Salmonella spp. following ingestion of infected prey or feed. In this paper, we describe the isolation of different Salmonella serovars in several species of raptors hosted in aviaries in an Italian wildlife centre and in the raw chicken necks used as their feed but intended for human consumption. Characterisations of strains were carried out by integrating classical methods and whole genome sequencing analysis. The strains of S. bredeney isolated in poultry meat and birds belonged to the same cluster, with some of them being multidrug-resistant (MDR) and carrying the Col(pHAD28) plasmid-borne qnrB19 (fluoro)quinolone resistance gene, thus confirming the source of infection. Differently, the S. infantis found in feed and raptors were all MDR, carried a plasmid of emerging S. infantis (pESI)-like plasmid and belonged to different clusters, possibly suggesting a long-lasting infection or the presence of additional undetected sources. Due to the high risk of fuelling a reservoir of human pathogens, the control and treatment of feed for captive species are crucial.

Presence of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in Caracara (Polyborus) plancus living in an airport area in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT The aviation sector is believed to be responsible for considerable environmental damage attributed to emission of a large number and amount of pollutants. Airports are often surrounded by forest fragments and humid areas that attract birds of prey and hence may potentially serve as useful bioindicators. The aim of the present study was to examine genotoxic potential in raptors exposed to airport pollution using the micronucleus (MN) test and morphological changes as evidenced by bilateral symmetry. This investigation was conducted at Salgado Filho International Airport of Porto Alegre – RS as well as in private and zoological breeding grounds. The presence of metals was measured in the blood cells of the collected birds. Seventeen birds (Caracara (Polyborus) plancus) were used in this study 11 from exposed and 6 from non-exposed group. The nuclear alterations clearly indicate that organisms exposed to airport pollution exhibited a significantly higher frequency of genetic damage compared to non-exposed birds. Further, manganese and chromium were detected exclusively in the blood of the exposed group. In contrast, the analysis of bilateral symmetry did not detect any significant morphologic differences between the two groups. Therefore, data indicate that blood genotoxic stress occurs in birds of prey living in civil aviation areas as evidenced by MN frequency increase and presence of manganese and chromium.

Interactions between different birds of prey as a random point process

The two-dimensional (2D) Coulomb gas is a one-parameter family of random point processes, depending on the inverse temperature β. Based on previous work, it is proposed as a simple statistical measure to quantify the intra- and interspecies repulsion among three different highly territorial birds of prey. Using data from the area of the Teutoburger Wald over 20 years, we fit the nearest-neighbour and next-to-nearest neighbour spacing distributions between the respective nests of the goshawk, eagle owl and the previously examined common buzzard to β of the Coulomb gas. Within each species, the repulsion measured in this way deviates significantly from the Poisson process of independent points in the plane. In contrast, the repulsion amongst each of two species is found to be considerably lower and closer to Poisson. Methodologically, we investigate the influence of the terrain, of a shorter interaction range given by the 2D Yukawa interaction, and the statistical independence of the time moving average we use for the yearly ensembles of occupied nests. We also check that an artificial random displacement of the original nest positions of the order of the mean level spacing quickly destroys the repulsion measured by β > 0. A simple, approximate analytical expression for the nearest-neighbour spacing distribution derived from non-Hermitian random matrix theory proves to be very useful.

Wildlife following people: A multidisciplinary assessment of the ancient colonization of the Mediterranean Basin by a long‐lived raptor

Abstract Modern humans widely shaped present ecosystems through intentional and unintentional geographical redistribution of wildlife, both in historical and pre‐historical times. However, the patterns of ancient human‐mediated indirect changes in wildlife range are largely unknown, and the mechanisms behind them remain obscure. We used a multidisciplinary approach to (a) reconstruct the process of colonization of the Mediterranean Basin by a long‐lived bird of prey, the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), and (b) test the hypothesis that this colonization was unintentionally favoured by anatomically modern humans through a release of competition by dominant species, primarily golden eagles (A. chrysaetos). The fossil record of Bonelli's eagles in the Mediterranean Basin was restricted to the last c. 50 ky. This timing matches the period of modern human presence in Europe. Distribution modelling showed that Bonelli's eagles find more suitable conditions in interglacial periods, while glacial maxima are largely unfavourable unless in coastal refugia. In agreement with this, all Bonelli's eagle's fossils were found in coastal areas, and demographic inference from genetic data revealed a drop in the effective population size by around the last glacial maximum. In today's communities, we found a strongly asymmetric competitive relationship between (subordinate) Bonelli's and (dominant) golden eagles, with the former occupying far more humanized areas than the latter both at the landscape scale and the local (i.e. nesting cliff) scale. Moreover, the nesting habitat overlap analysis indicated that, in the absence of the other species, a notably higher population of Bonelli's eagle, but not of golden eagle, could be expected. Our findings are consistent with the human‐mediated competitor release hypothesis, by which anatomically modern humans could have unintentionally favoured the large‐scale colonization by Bonelli's eagles of a previously competitively hostile Mediterranean Basin. Reconstructing the role of ancient humans in shaping present ecosystems may help to understand the historical, current and future population trajectories of competing species of conservation concern under the ongoing scenario of global environmental change. It also illustrates how human‐mediated apparent competition may promote large‐scale redistribution and colonization of wildlife, including long‐lived species. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Unveiling Social Dynamics in People's Perception of Raptors to Guide Effective Conservation Strategies

Ethnoscientific approaches offer valuable tools for exploring human–nature relationships, making them useful for developing effective conservation strategies. Raptors, which are birds of prey, face significant conservation threats worldwide, with human persecution being a leading factor in their population decline. Urgent conservation strategies are needed, particularly in regions of high raptor diversity like the tropical Andes. In this study, we employed semistructured questionnaires and logistic models to investigate how demographic factors, economic activity, and traditional knowledge shape people's perceptions of raptors in rural communities of the Ecuadorian Andes. These communities have historically experienced poverty and inequality, and our approach takes into account their local realities to provide conservation recommendations. Our findings reveal that traditional ecological knowledge provides a broad understanding of human–raptor relations, and that raptors are viewed as both providers of ecosystem services and disservices. Additionally, social demographics, such as gender and educational level, can influence people's perception of raptors. Based on these results, we can promote conservation actions from a local to global level. Ethnoecological approaches offer diverse conservation opportunities that can vary based on different local contexts. In addition to conventional measures such as environmental education programs, poultry management, and landscape preservation, it is essential to consider the political ecology of specific sites, particularly in regions of the Global South where poverty and inequality are closely intertwined with social and environmental injustices. As such, policy making to alleviate poverty and inequality in rural communities in Ecuador and other Andean countries; and science decolonization to make conservation more inclusive are crucial for human well-being and successful and lasting conservation actions for raptors and biodiversity.

An additional record of hematophagy by the Yellow-headed Caracara Daptrius chimachima on a domestic horse from Venezuela

Hematophagy is a practice in which animal organisms feed on blood. Among birds, few species are known to practice it, including rapacious birds such as Caracaras. Here, an hematophagy event by a Yellow-headed Caracara on a wounded domestic horse from northern Venezuela is described, taking notes about the visit frequency, number of visitors, the horse’s interaction with the caracara, the blood consumption type (direct, indirect), and hematophagy tactics (active or passive). Over six continuous days, once a day, a Yellow-headed Caracara arrived on the back of a wounded domestic horse between 08:00–10:00 h and perched without any negative response from the quadruped. After arriving, the bird remained motionless for a few minutes and then approached the open wound. After sucking blood for about 4–7 minutes, the bird of prey inspected the rest of the animal for ectoparasites and then it left the area for the rest of the day. Once, an adult and a juvenile Yellow-headed Caracaras visited the horse to feed on blood together. This is the first report of hematophagy for the Yellow-headed Caracara in Venezuela. My observations suggest that the Yellow-crested Caracara is a passive hematophagous bird, and direct hematophagy in this species occurs because its opportunistic behavior is stimulated by wounds made accidentally or by other active hematophagous animals such as Vampire Bats.

Beak and feather disease virus detected in the endangered Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus)

We report the first detection and prevalence of Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) in Australia’s Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus). This is a new host for this pervasive pathogen amongst a growing list of non-psittacine species including birds of prey from the orders Accipitriformes (hawks, eagles, kites), Falconiformes (falcons and caracas), and Strigiformes (owls). The Red Goshawk is the first non-psittacine species listed as Endangered to be diagnosed with BFDV. We report an initial case of infection discovered post-mortem in a dead nestling and subsequent surveillance of birds from across northern Australia. We reveal BFDV prevalence rates in a wild raptor population for the first time, with detections in 25% (n = 7/28) of Red Goshawks sampled. Prevalence appears higher in juveniles compared to adults, although not statistically significant, but is consistent with studies of wild psittacines. BFDV genotypes were associated with the Loriinae (lorikeets, budgerigar, and fig parrots), Cacatuini (Cockatoos), and Polytelini (long-tailed parrots) tribes; species which are preyed upon by Red Goshawks. A positive BFDV status may be associated with lower body mass but small sample sizes precluded robust statistical analysis. We postulate the possible impacts of the virus on Red Goshawks and discuss future research priorities given these preliminary observations.