The first report of haematozoa: Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus infection in Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) of Kaleybar, East Azerbaijan province

Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is one of the largest owls in Iran, which lives in most of the mountainous and forested areas of Iran. In order to identify blood parasites in wild birds native to East Azerbaijan province, a blood sample was collected from the wing (brachial) vein of an apparently healthy Eurasian Bubo bubo kept at the East Azarbaijan Environment Organization. Several blood smears were taken from the blood sample and transferred to the parasitology laboratory. The blood smears were stained with Giemsa 5% and then examined under a light microscope at 1000x magnification. The bird erythrocytes infected with Haemoproteus sp. as well as Leucocytozoon sp. Studies of blood parasites in birds of prey, such as the Eurasian owl, are of great importance due to the endangered status of this species, the potential pathogenicity of these parasites, and the lack of enough information about these parasites available in Iran. It is the first report of a haemosporidian blood parasite infection in an eagle owl in northwest Iran.