Seroepidemiologic Survey of Potential Pathogens in Obligate and Facultative Scavenging Avian Species in California

Straub, Mary H.; Kelly, Terra R.; Rideout, Bruce A.; Eng, Curtis; Wynne, Janna; Braun, Josephine; Johnson, Christine K.

This study provides insight into potential pathogens present in two obligate avian scavenger species and one facultative avian scavenger species that share habitat and exhibit similar foraging behaviors in the western US. Although additional work is needed to confirm infection and further characterize the pathogens investigated here, this study is an important first step towards providing baseline data on infectious diseases in scavenging birds. The information provided by this study may prove critical, especially for conservation efforts surrounding the endangered California condor, as this species continues to expand its range in California and encounter new threats to survival.