Prevalence of west nile virus in wild American kestrels (Falco sparverius) of southern Quebec Canada

Abstract

We assessed West Nile virus (WNV) antibody prevalence in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in southern Quebec by sampling 152 birds during the 2003-05 breeding seasons. We analyzed the dependence of antibody prevalence on age group, year, and gender; a significant relationship was detected only between age (adults vs. nestlings) and antibody prevalence. Furthermore, reproductive success did not appear to be linked with the prevalence of anti-WNV antibodies in this population. © Wildlife Disease Association 2010.