As top predators birds of prey are excellent bioindicators for any environment. The community is divided into four orders (Cathartiformes, Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes), presenting great diversity of species. Many disappear with ecosystems changes, and habitat loss is the main cause of extinctions. South America is the continent with the greatest richness of raptors, and only in Brazil 98 species have been recorded. The degradation of some biomas, however, has caused the local extinction of raptors with great ecological requirements. The Atlantic Forest, which has bit more than 10% of its forest cover still preserved, has suffered along almost its entire length the loss of some species which are very sensible to human impacts, such as Harpia harpyja and Morphnus guianensis. In the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul, forest loss was significant and with it much of the fauna that originally inhabited the area. Given protected area establishments and connection with the extensive forests of Misiones (Argentina), some places still have many raptors rare or regionally endangered. It is the case of Turvo State Park ( Parque Estadual do Turvo - PET) and the Indigenous Land of Guarita ( Terra Indígena do Guarita - TIG), which are distant only 15 km, in a fragmented landscape, with forest patches under different attributes and different mosaics. In this context we sought to identify how the community of raptors responds to the factors presented in the fragments under different conditions. Through specific methodology for diurnal raptors we also sampled the situation of the community in TIG. Fourteen fragments and seven points were sampled in the TIG. The data of TIG were compared to those found in a survey with the same methodology in PET. The results showed the only factor that influences the richness and the frequency of occurrence of raptors in the fragments is the area. Factors as isolation (distance between a fragment and PET or TIG), quantity of forest cover in the mosaic and the form of the fragment were not significant. This is probably given by the great capacity of dispersion of birds of prey, differing from others groups of fauna. The raptors community of TIG presented very similar results to that found in PET. We emphasize some inedited and conservation relevance records for TIG, such as Sarcoramphus papa, Leptodon cayanensis and Spizaetus melanoleucus. Even if TIG is in a context less favorable to conservation when compared to PET, our results shows the importance of the indigenous area for the conservation of the raptors of the region. Once raptors require large areas, are territorial, move easily and have an aversion to disturbances, large fragments offers better conditions of surviving than small ones, especially for species with larger ecological needs. Thus, strategies that involve the preservation of large forest fragments in the northwestern region are fundamental for the preservation of the community of birds of prey of the Alto Uruguay Forest. / Como predadores de topo as aves de rapina são excelentes bioindicadores para qualquer ambiente. A comunidade divide-se em quatro ordens (Cathartiformes, Accipitriformes, Falconiformes e Strigiformes), apresentando grande diversidade de espécies. Muitas desaparecem com a alteração dos ecossistemas, sendo a perda de hábitat a principal causa de extinções. A América do Sul é o continente com maior riqueza de rapinantes, e só no Brasil já foram registradas 98 espécies. A degradação de alguns biomas, no entanto, tem ocasionado a extinção local de rapinantes com grandes requerimentos ecológicos. A Mata Atlântica, que tem pouco mais de 10% de sua cobertura florestal ainda preservada, tem sofrido ao longo de quase toda sua extensão a perda de algumas espécies que são bastante sensíveis a impactos antrópicos, como Harpia harpyja e Morphnus guianensis. Na região noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul a perda de florestas foi significativa e com ela grande parte da fauna que originalmente habitava a área. Dado o estabelecimento de áreas protegidas e a conexão com as extensas florestas de Misiones (Argentina), alguns locais ainda possuem vários rapinantes raros ou regionalmente ameaçados de extinção. É o caso do Parque Estadual do Turvo (PET) e da Terra Indígena do Guarita (TIG), que distam-se apenas 15 km numa paisagem fragmentada com remanescentes florestais sob diferentes atributos e em diferentes mosaicos. Nesse contexto procuramos identificar como a comunidade de aves de rapina responde aos fatores apresentados através de fragmentos em diferentes condições. Através de metodologia específica para rapinantes diurnos amostramos também a situação da comunidade de rapinantes na TIG. Foram amostrados 14 fragmentos e sete pontos na TIG. Os dados da TIG foram comparados àqueles encontrados em um estudo usando a mesma metodologia no PET. Os resultados demonstram que o único fator que influencia na riqueza e frequência de ocorrência de rapinantes nos fragmentos é a área. Fatores como isolamento (distancia entre um fragmento e o PET ou a TIG), quantidade de cobertura florestal no mosaico e forma do fragmento não foram significativos. Isso provavelmente se dá em função da grande capacidade dispersiva das aves de rapina, diferindo de outros grupos da fauna. A comunidade de aves de rapina da TIG apresentou-se muito semelhante àquela encontrada no PET. Destacamos alguns registros inéditos e de relevância conservacionista para a TIG, tais como Sarcoramphus papa, Leptodon cayanensis e Spizaetus melanoleucus. Apesar da TIG estar em um contexto menos favorável à conservação quando comparada ao PET, nossos resultados demonstram a importância da área indígena para a conservação dos rapinantes da região. Uma vez que rapinantes necessitam de grandes áreas, são territorialistas, deslocam-se com facilidade e apresentam aversão a perturbações, fragmentos grandes oferecem melhores condições de sobrevivência do que os pequenos, especialmente para as espécies com maiores necessidades ecológicas. Assim, estratégias que envolvam a preservação de grandes remanescentes florestais na região noroeste são fundamentais para a preservação da comunidade de aves de rapina da Mata do Alto Uruguai.

Scavenging bird of prey have been abundant throughout the Mediterranean region for years, establishing a food acquisition relationship with human activities, their characteristics make them especially suitable for the recognition of dangerous environmental conditions. The West Nile Virus (WNV) considered the most widespread arbovirus has been previously discovered in our 3 species of studio. The analyses from feather follicles and serum samples obtain from different regions in Spain shown a higher seroprevalence against West Nile virus or cross-reacting flaviviruses in the northern part of the country and in the Canary archipelago. Our results showed a general seroprevalence of 19.8% (34 out of 172), a prevalence of 19,8% in Egyptian vultures, a prevalence of 27.1% (13 out of 48) in Griffon vultures and no prevalence in Cinereous vultures. Differences were observed for the body condition off Griffon and Egyptian vultures when anthropized and not anthropized areas were compared, being significantly worse in anthropized areas for Griffon vultures and significantly better for Egyptian vultures. The exposure to the virus of the nestlings increased with the age, showing a higher tend in Egyptian vultures than in Griffon vultures. Our results confirm the circulation and a higher seroprevalence of West Nile virus or cross-reacting flaviviruses than in previous studies.

No description available.

There is little information on the distribution and diversity of Apicomplexan protozoal infections in the tissues of raptors in the United States. Protozoan encephalitis caused by Sarcocystis species and Toxoplasma gondii is being increasingly reported in raptors from various locations in the United States. To better determine the exposure of raptors to these Apicomplexan parasites, we examined breast and heart muscle tissue of raptors from the Carolina Raptor Center for the presence of Sarcocystis species, T. gondii and Neospora caninum via histology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) using DraI and HinfI enzymes (Sarocystis only). Of 187 available HandE stained tissue sections, 33 contained sarcocysts. Nineteen of these slides had a matching DNA sample to compare via PCR. Nine of these 19 were positive for Sarcocystis via ITS PCR. Using ITS PCR, we detected Sarcocystis DNA in 24 of 114 birds (21.1%). Further molecular differentiation using JNB primers showed that 9 of the 24 birds were positive for either S. neurona or S. falcatula. RFLP analysis of these 9 indicated that 4 were S. falcatula samples, and 3 were S. falcatula Arg samples that cut with both enzymes. Our Sarcocystis positive samples were also tested for S. calchasi, S. columbae and Sarcocystis sp. Ex. A. nisus using PCR primers designed for these species. These species are emerging in Europe and have already shown an expansion of their distribution. Two samples (14567 and 15203) suggestive of Sarcocystis sp. Ex. A. nisus were identified, as well as one sample (14567), which suggested the presence of S. columbae. None of these samples were confirmed by sequencing the amplicons and the other 22 samples were all negative for these parasites. Recent reports have demonstrated DNA of S. falcatula in the brain and muscles of great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) with encephalitis in rehabilitation centers in Indiana, Minnesota, and Virginia using PCR. DNA of S. calchasi has been found in CNS tissue of several species of birds suffering encephalitis in an aviary in California. Hawks (Accipiter species) are believed to be the source of infection. The prevalence of T. gondii was 18.4% (21 of 114) in these birds by PCR, but none were positive by histopathology. N. caninum prevalence in raptors has been poorly discussed in the literature. This parasite uses canids as the definitive host in its life cycle, and is considered to have a much more restricted host range than T. gondii. Thirty-five of 114 birds (30.7%) were found to be PCR positive for N. caninum, but no tissue cysts of N. caninum were observed in histological sections. Co-infection of 2 or all 3 species was detected in 16 of 114 birds (14%). This study demonstrates that there may be a higher prevalence of S. falcatula in raptors than was previously known, including more, as yet unknown, species of Sarcocystis capable of infecting raptors as intermediate hosts. Our PCR prevalence for T. gondii is similar to the serological prevalence for this parasite in raptors. The high PCR prevalence of N. caninum needs to be confirmed by sequencing the amplicons and the use of additional PCR primers. Information from the present study may help to inform zoos, aviaries and wildlife rehabilitation centers about parasite host diversity and reinforce the importance of preventative measures, such as making sure opossums (S. falcatula and S. falcatula-like), feral cats (T. gondii), and wild raptors (S. calchasi) do not have access to facilities. Insect control should also be emphasized because of their ability to serve as phoretic hosts and carry oocysts/sporocysts into zoos, aviaries, and rehabilitation centers. / Master of Science

The expansion of wind power comes with additional risks for bird populations, one of which is the collision with wind turbine components, mainly the rotating blades. In order to mitigate this risk, few systems on the market propose solutions with modules that deter the birds from the wind turbine or trigger the temporary shutdown of the turbines.The thesis seeks to obtain a common view from different stakeholders in order to create a list of requirements that the bird protection systems must have so as to be accepted by all the parties involved in the wind industry in Sweden. In order to meet this objective, interviews were conducted with interested stakeholders. Consequently, the interviews were summarized and common points were extracted to create a list of requirements and additional suggestions.Firstly, a comprehensive literature review was done that has pointed out issues like impacts of wind farms on bird species, especially raptors, causes of bird mortality, environmental legislation in European Union and Sweden, and current solutions on mitigating the risk of collisions with wind turbines onshore. Additionally, the author looked up into the most efficient ways to engage the stakeholders in constructive discussions and develop an easy framework for presenting the requirements.The primary data was collected through interviews with stakeholders representing 12 organizations. In the next steps, the data was analyzed by summarizing each interview and identifying the common and differentiating points in respondents’ views and suggestions over automated bird mitigation systems. The identified points laid the basis for a list of requirements considered important for safe and efficient bird mitigation systems in Sweden. Among others, stakeholders identified that the most crucial issues regarding bird mitigation systems are the response time to shutdown of the turbine, distance from the birds’ species living areas, need of species identification in bad weather conditions and night time and overall financial feasibility of such technologies.

Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons au regard porté par les hommes de l’Antiquité grecque et romaine sur les oiseaux de proie. Nous nous concentrons d’abord sur des questions de classements zoologiques, afin de voir dans quelle mesure il est possible de parler d’une catégorie de rapaces. Nous étudions ensuite la place que tiennent ces oiseaux dans l’imaginaire en cernant l’image culturelle des zoonymes les plus courants. Enfin, la question des rapports que les hommes entretiennent avec les rapaces amène à se demander si les rapaces ne peuvent être rangés (ou dispersés) dans diverses catégories dont la cohérence n’est peut-être pas simplement zoologique. / In this thesis, our general aim is to try to know what people thought about birds of prey inGreek and Roman Antiquity. We focus first on zoological classes in order to see in what waywe can speak about raptors as a category. We then study the cultural image for the most usualzoonyms in order to find what place these birds have in the imagination. Lastly, through thequestion of the relationships between humans and raptors, we wonder whether these birdscan’t belong to some other categories whose unity is maybe not only zoological.

O urubu-de-cabeça-preta (Coragyps atratus) é uma ave de vida livre com ampla distribuição no Brasil. Esta espécie é comumente encontrada em áreas urbanas concentrando-se em locais de deposição de lixo. O fato de se alimentarem de carcaças em decomposição facilita o contato de urubus-de-cabeça-preta com muitos patógenos. No entanto, ainda não está clara qual a real implicação de muitos desses microrganismos para a saúde dos mesmos. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de alguns patógenos selecionados, avaliar o perfil hematológico e a microbiota cloacal de C. atratus em ambiente urbano. Para isso, amostras de sangue, soro e swab cloacal foram obtidos de 120 urubus de vida-livre capturados na Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo, SP. A prova de soroaglutinação rápida (SAR) foi utilizada na detecção de anticorpos contra Salmonella Pullorum/Gallinarum, Mycoplasma synoviae e M. gallisepticum. O teste de aglutinação em látex (AL) foi utilizado para a pesquisa de antígeno de Cryptococcus neoformans. Foram utilizadas técnicas convencionais de hematologia, microbiologia e testes de sensibilidade microbiana. Das amostras de soro analisadas pela SAR, 15% foram reagentes para M. gallisepticum. Anticorpos contra S. Pullorum/Gallinarum e M. synoviae não foram detectados. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva para C.neoformans ou para hemoparasitas. A média e o desvio padrão dos seguintes valores hematológicos foram obtidos para 61 aves: eritrócitos (1.8x10¹²/L); leucócitos (13,11x10/L); hemoglobina (10,4 g/dL); hematócrito (48,44%); VCM (275,1 fL); HCM (42 pg); CHCM (15,8 g/dL); proteína sérica total (3,76 g/dL); heterófilos (78%); linfócitos (13,5%); eosinófilos (5,4%); monócitos (2,8%); basófilos (0,1%); trombócitos (14,14x10/L). De 75 colônias bacterianas isoladas de 20 swabs cloacais, 78,7% foram Gram-positivas e 21,3% Gram-negativas, sendo Enterococcus sp. o gênero mais frequente. Aproximadamente 86,7% das cepas isoladas foram resistentes a pelo menos um dos antibióticos testados. Cepas de Bacillus sp. e Enterococcus casseliflavus apresentaram resistência a sete dos oito antibióticos testados. Leveduras não foram isoladas em nenhumas das culturas. As informações obtidas nessa pesquisa são de suma importância, uma vez que poucos estudos avaliam o estado de saúde de urubus no mundo. / Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a free-living bird widely distributed across Brazil. These birds feed on rotting carcasses and large groups are commonly found in urban areas, including rubbish dumps. By feeding on decomposing carcasses, they are often exposed to innumerous pathogens. However, the role of infectious microorganisms on vultures health still need to be clarify. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of selected infectious agents, the hematological profile and cloacal microbiota of black vulture in urban areas. Therefore, blood, serum and cloacal swabs were obtained from 120 free-living vultures trapped in Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo, SP. The rapid seroagglutination test (RST) was performed for detection of antibodies against Salmonella Pullorum/Gallinarum, M. synoviae and M. gallisepticum. Furthermore, latex agglutination test was used to detect Cryptococcus neoformans \' antigen. Conventional techniques for hematology, microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed. From the serum samples analyzed by RST, 15% were positive for M. gallisepticum, antibodies against S. Pullorum/Gallinarum and M. synoviae were not detected. None sample was positive to Cryptococcus neoformans or hemoparasites. Mean and standard deviation from the following hematological values were obtained for 61 birds: erythrocytes (1.8x10¹²/L); leukocytes (13.11x10/L); hemoglobin (10.4 g/dL); hematocrit (48.44%); MCV (275,1 fL); MCH (42 pg); MCHC (15,8 g/dL); total serum protein (3.76 g/dL); heterophils (78%); lymphocytes (13.5%); eosinophils (5.4%); monocytes (2.8%); basophils (0,1%); thrombocyte (14.14x10/L). From 75 bacterial colonies isolated from 20 cloacal swabs, 78.7% were Gram-positive and 21.3% were Gram-negative. Enterococcus sp. was the most frequent genus. Approximately 86.7% of the isolated strains were resistant to at least one of the antibiotic tested. Bacillus sp. and Enterococcus casseliflavus strains shown resistance to seven in eight antibiotics tested. Yeasts were not isolated. The information obtained in this research is of paramount important since few studies have been carried out on the vultures health condition in the world.

Foram coletadas 137 amostras sanguíneas de 132 espécimes diferentes, pertencentes a sete espécies de Strigiformes (n=92) e onze espécies de Falconiformes (n=45), entre os meses de setembro de 2008 e julho de 2009. As amostras foram submetidas a hemograma completo, pesquisa de hemoparasitos através da avaliação do esfregaço sanguíneo, sexagem através da técnica de PCR e mensuração da atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas através do método de Ellman (1961). Apenas sete corujinhas-do-mato (Megascops choliba) apresentaram hemoparasitos (5,3 % do total de rapinantes). Houve diferença significativa conforme o estado de saúde da ave, sendo que a todos os animais clinicamente hígidos não estavam infectados, porém 20,4% dos animais com desordens clínicas apresentavam hemosporídeos. Quantitativamente, a parasitemia mediana dos animais infectados foi de 3,8 hemácias parasitadas por 10.000 hemácias, um índice de infecção relativamente baixo. A grande maioria dos parâmetros hematológicos não apresentou diferenças estatísticas em função da presença ou ausência de hemoparasitos, o que na maioria dos casos caracterizou uma infecção branda e pouco patogênica. A atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas apresentou uma distribuição normal, com uma média geométrica de 0,8333 micromoles/mL e desvio padrão geométrico de 1,7087 µmols/mL. A atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas apresentou diferenças estatísticas significativas entre Falconiformes (0,5705±1,6497 µmols/mL) e Strigiformes (1,0070±1,5620 µmols/mL). Não houve diferenças significativas entre machos ou fêmeas e adultos ou jovens dentre os Falconiformes ou Strigiformes. Falconiformes não hígidos apresentaram valores surpreendentemente mais baixos do que os clinicamente hígidos. Entre os Strigiformes, os espécimes de cativeiro apresentaram valores mais baixos de atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas do que os de vida livre. A atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas foi significativamente diferente entre os animais com hemoparasitos (mediana geométrica = 2,0132 µmols/mL) e sem hemoparasitos (mediana geométrica = 0,8331 µmols/mL). Este estudo contribui com informações relevantes sobre a ocorrência de hemosporídeos em aves de rapina do Estado de São Paulo, alertando as Instituições sobre a necessidade de monitoração destes protozoários sanguíneos. Além disso, contribui com dados inéditos sobre a atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas em rapinantes. / 137 blood samples were collected from 132 different specimen, belonging to seven species of Strigiformes (n=92) and eleven species of Falconiformes (n=45), from September 2008 to July 2009. Samples were submitted to complete hemogram, survey for hemoparasites through evaluation of blood smears, sex identification by PCR and measurement of plasmatic cholinesterases by the method of Ellman (1961). Only seven black-capped-screech-owls (Megascops choliba) were positive for hemoparasites (5,3% of total raptors). There were significative difference according to avian health status; all the clinicaly higid animal were not infected, but 20,4% of animals with clinical desorders presented haemosporidians. Quantitatively, the average parasitemia was 3,8 parasited erythrocytes in 10.000 erythrocytes, a infection rate relatively low. The most of hematologic parameters did not present statistic differences in function of presence or absence of hemoparasites, what in most of the cases characterized a low and not much pathogenic infection. The plasmatic cholinesterase activity presented normal distribution, with geometric average of 0,8333 micromoles/mL and geometric standard deviation of 1,7087 µmols/mL. The plasmatic cholinesterase activity presented statistic differences between Falconiformes (0,5705±1,6497 µmols/mL) and Strigiformes (1,0070±1,5620 µmols/mL). There were not significative differences between males of females and adults or youngs between Falconiformes or Strigiformes. Non-higid Falconiformes presented surprisiling much low values than those clinically higid. Between Strigiformes, the captivity specimens present much lower plasmatic cholinesterase activity values than free ranging animals. The plasmatic cholinesterase activity was signifactively different among animal with hemoparasites (geometric average = 2,0132 µmols/mL) and without hemoparasites (geometric average = 0,8331 µmols/mL). This research contributes with relevant information about the haemosporidian occurence in raptors of State of São Paulo, alerting the Institutions about the necessity of monitorizing haemoprotozoa. Besides that, contributes with unpublished data about the plasmatic cholinesterase activity in raptors.

Orientador: Marco Aurélio Pizo Ferreira / Banca: José Carlos Motta Júnior / Banca: Roberto Goitein / Resumo: Duas espécies só podem coexistir durante um longo período de tempo se diferirem em alguns aspectos ecológicos. Essas são premissas do conceito de nicho ecológico de uma espécie. Falco sparverius e Athene cunicularia são aves de rapina de ocorrência comum na maioria da região neotropical. Usualmente encontradas em simpatria, ocorrem em ambientes abertos, com pouca vegetação e apresentam uma dieta similar, baseada em insetos, e comportamentos de caça semelhantes. Os ambientes costeiros do Rio Grande do Sul são sistemas frágeis, protegidos pela legislação nacional e pouco estudados. Os objetivos deste estudo são analisar como estas espécies segregam ecologicamente no ambiente em questão, avaliando as dimensões trófica, espacial e temporal de nicho. Adicionalmente, objetiva-se contribuir para o conhecimento da ecologia destas espécies. Entre março/2000 e janeiro/2004 foram realizadas 31 excursões mensais à área de estudo quando se coletaram pelotas de regurgitação e restos de presas. Realizaram-se ainda observações de captura de presas, análise de comportamento circadiano e uso de hábitat de F. sparverius e A. cunicularia. Corroborando outros estudos, ambas espécies mostraram-se predadores generalistas e oportunistas, consumindo predominantemente invertebrados, com baixo consumo de vertebrados, havendo, aparentemente, variação sazonal na dieta / Abstract: Two species can coexist during a long time period only if both differ in some ecological aspect. This is a premise of the ecological niche theory. Falco sparverius and Athene cunicularia are two most common raptors in the neotropical region. Usually sympatric, these species inhabit open countries, with few vegetation and have similar diets, including mainly insects, and similar foraging behaviors. The coastal habitats of Rio Grande do Sul are fragile and poorly studied ecosystems under Brazilian legislation protection. This study aims to analyze how these species segregate themselves in coastal habitats by investigating the trophic, spatial and temporal niche dimensions. Additionally, it is our intention to contribute to knowledge of the ecology of these species. Between March/2000 and January/2004, 31 monthly field expeditions were conducted to the study area during which pellets and prey remains were collected. Further, captures attempts were recorded and daily behavior and foraging habitat use of the F. sparverius and A. cunicularia were analyzed. Corroborating previous studies, both species showed to be generalist and opportunist predators, eating mainly invertebrates, with little vertebrate consumption, having, apparently, seasonal variation in their diet / Mestre

Foram coletadas 137 amostras sanguíneas de 132 espécimes diferentes, pertencentes a sete espécies de Strigiformes (n=92) e onze espécies de Falconiformes (n=45), entre os meses de setembro de 2008 e julho de 2009. As amostras foram submetidas a hemograma completo, pesquisa de hemoparasitos através da avaliação do esfregaço sanguíneo, sexagem através da técnica de PCR e mensuração da atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas através do método de Ellman (1961). Apenas sete corujinhas-do-mato (Megascops choliba) apresentaram hemoparasitos (5,3 % do total de rapinantes). Houve diferença significativa conforme o estado de saúde da ave, sendo que a todos os animais clinicamente hígidos não estavam infectados, porém 20,4% dos animais com desordens clínicas apresentavam hemosporídeos. Quantitativamente, a parasitemia mediana dos animais infectados foi de 3,8 hemácias parasitadas por 10.000 hemácias, um índice de infecção relativamente baixo. A grande maioria dos parâmetros hematológicos não apresentou diferenças estatísticas em função da presença ou ausência de hemoparasitos, o que na maioria dos casos caracterizou uma infecção branda e pouco patogênica. A atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas apresentou uma distribuição normal, com uma média geométrica de 0,8333 micromoles/mL e desvio padrão geométrico de 1,7087 µmols/mL. A atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas apresentou diferenças estatísticas significativas entre Falconiformes (0,5705±1,6497 µmols/mL) e Strigiformes (1,0070±1,5620 µmols/mL). Não houve diferenças significativas entre machos ou fêmeas e adultos ou jovens dentre os Falconiformes ou Strigiformes. Falconiformes não hígidos apresentaram valores surpreendentemente mais baixos do que os clinicamente hígidos. Entre os Strigiformes, os espécimes de cativeiro apresentaram valores mais baixos de atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas do que os de vida livre. A atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas foi significativamente diferente entre os animais com hemoparasitos (mediana geométrica = 2,0132 µmols/mL) e sem hemoparasitos (mediana geométrica = 0,8331 µmols/mL). Este estudo contribui com informações relevantes sobre a ocorrência de hemosporídeos em aves de rapina do Estado de São Paulo, alertando as Instituições sobre a necessidade de monitoração destes protozoários sanguíneos. Além disso, contribui com dados inéditos sobre a atividade de colinesterases plasmáticas em rapinantes. / 137 blood samples were collected from 132 different specimen, belonging to seven species of Strigiformes (n=92) and eleven species of Falconiformes (n=45), from September 2008 to July 2009. Samples were submitted to complete hemogram, survey for hemoparasites through evaluation of blood smears, sex identification by PCR and measurement of plasmatic cholinesterases by the method of Ellman (1961). Only seven black-capped-screech-owls (Megascops choliba) were positive for hemoparasites (5,3% of total raptors). There were significative difference according to avian health status; all the clinicaly higid animal were not infected, but 20,4% of animals with clinical desorders presented haemosporidians. Quantitatively, the average parasitemia was 3,8 parasited erythrocytes in 10.000 erythrocytes, a infection rate relatively low. The most of hematologic parameters did not present statistic differences in function of presence or absence of hemoparasites, what in most of the cases characterized a low and not much pathogenic infection. The plasmatic cholinesterase activity presented normal distribution, with geometric average of 0,8333 micromoles/mL and geometric standard deviation of 1,7087 µmols/mL. The plasmatic cholinesterase activity presented statistic differences between Falconiformes (0,5705±1,6497 µmols/mL) and Strigiformes (1,0070±1,5620 µmols/mL). There were not significative differences between males of females and adults or youngs between Falconiformes or Strigiformes. Non-higid Falconiformes presented surprisiling much low values than those clinically higid. Between Strigiformes, the captivity specimens present much lower plasmatic cholinesterase activity values than free ranging animals. The plasmatic cholinesterase activity was signifactively different among animal with hemoparasites (geometric average = 2,0132 µmols/mL) and without hemoparasites (geometric average = 0,8331 µmols/mL). This research contributes with relevant information about the haemosporidian occurence in raptors of State of São Paulo, alerting the Institutions about the necessity of monitorizing haemoprotozoa. Besides that, contributes with unpublished data about the plasmatic cholinesterase activity in raptors.