Abstract
ABSTRACT Avian malaria is a common disease in songbirds, caused by protozoa in the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon. These parasites can negatively impact bird health, survival, and reproductive success. Four species of songbirds were sampled for blood parasites during the reproductive season; the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), the Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), and the Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus). The study aimed to determine parasite prevalence in these species, as well as to explore a relationship between infection and bird health, measured by body condition and blood parameters. We also tested whether age and sex had an effect on this relationship. Results detected a high parasite prevalence across all species using PCR (94%) but a much lower one using microscopy (37%), suggesting that parasite prevalence is high while parasitemia is low. Red-eyed Vireos were the only species with high prevalence and parasitemia. Parasit...
Published Version
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