Blood parameters of migratory shorebirds at Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia

Abstract

We present blood parameters related to body condition and immune function of three shorebird species Calidris canutus rufa, Calidris fuscicollis and Charadrius falklandicus at a feeding site in Peninsula Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina, during their non-breeding season. We determined concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, the leukocyte profile and the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. These data constitute the first report of these blood parameters in shorebirds at this location. These data provide baseline information for ecological studies on these species in this area. The data could also be used in larger meta-analyses comparing blood parameters across geographical areas, different species and over time.