[The occurrence of salmonellae in wild birds (Passeriformes, Lariformes)].

The occurrence of salmonellae was investigated in 1011 cloacal smears of 21 species of wild birds caught at the locality of Hermanický rybník near Ostrava. Salmonella typhimurium serotype was isolated from one of the 23 laughing gulls (Larus ridibundus) which were examined; this corresponds to a 4.3% invasion frequency. The result of the examination of all other birds was negative. On the basis of the results of this study and the results published by other authors, laughing gull can be considered as a possible source of salmonellae for farm animal stocks, particularly water fowl. It is recommended that laughing gull should be taken into consideration when seeking, for diagnostic purposes, the sources of salmonellae from which water fowl are invaded.