Veerafwijking bij nestjonge Havik Accipiter gentilis, en mogelijk oorzaak

A female Goshawk nestling was found underneath the nest on 25 June 2000, in the forestry of Emmen in the southeastern part of the province of Drenthe. Many primaries and rectrices showed poor growth or were shed during handling. The nest had held three nestlings during ringing (two females and one male), but no defects were noted during that visit. Both parents were fully adult (>3 cy). At least one of the nestlings successfully fledged. It is thought that the anomalous bird, which died from emaciation, was infected with the avian polyomavirus. Given several similar cases in recent years in The Netherlands, raptorphiles are asked to take good note of this phemenon during nest controls. The bird is deep-frozen, and can be requested for further study.