Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera: notably species of Ceratophyllidae) parasitize many species of birds. Although adult fleas rely on the birds as their principal means of dispersal, they are not commonly collected on the host itself. Most of these fleas spend the greatest portion of their life cycle in or near the host's nest. Colonial nesting habits facilitate transfer of fleas among hosts (Hoogland and Sherman 1976), and reuse of nests or nesting cavities in successive breeding seasons enhances transmission from one generation to the next (Hopla and Loye 1983). This stability of nest habitat and reliability of host presence favours fleas that are truly nest-bound. On the other hand, birds that defend exclusive breeding territories and construct new nests for each breeding attempt are usually host to vagabond, generalist species (Darskaya 1964).
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