Causes of morbidity and mortality in falcons in Saudi Arabia

Clinical records from 3376 falcons of different species presented to the Falcon Specialist Hospital and Research Institute of the Fahad bin Sultan Falcon Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from September 1, 1998, to March 1, 2001, were reviewed to determine the causes of morbidity and mortality in falcons in Saudi Arabia. The most common causes of morbidity were infectious diseases, traumatic injuries, toxicosis, and metabolic or nutritional diseases. The most common causes of mortality were bacterial and fungal diseases, bumblefoot, collision-type injuries, injuries inflicted by other birds, lead and ammonium chloride toxicosis, gout, sour crop, and low body condition. These findings contribute to the limited available information about morbidity and mortality in falcons in Saudi Arabia in particular and in the Middle East in general.