Turdus Rufiventris Research Articles

Long-term directional changes in urban bird communities of Mar del Plata City, Argentina

Urban environments have been characterized by their temporal stability of resources, which could promote stability in bird composition. Several studies have found that bird communities in urban environments persist over the years, showing a similar species composition in the short term. However, studies analyzing continuous changes in urban communities over the long term are scarce. This study aimed to analyze the stability or directional changes (instability) in bird communities along an urban gradient. Bird counts were conducted in urban, suburban, and periurban areas over 8-10 years in 2002-2019. Changes in species composition were analyzed over periods ranging from one year to the next, to changes from one year to the seventeenth. Urban bird communities were more similar between years than suburban and periurban communities. Compositional changes were greater as time lags increased, indicating directional compositional shifts. The magnitude of these changes was similar across the urban gradient. The Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango), the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro), the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), and the Red-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) significantly increased their abundances during the period, while the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) significantly decreased its abundance. Regional changes in species abundance, urban vegetation succession, and biotic interactions could explain the changes in bird communities.

Satellitome analysis on the pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas (Passeriformes; Turdidae) uncovers the putative co-evolution of sex chromosomes and satellite DNAs

Do all birds' sex chromosomes follow the same canonical one-way direction of evolution? We combined cytogenetic and genomic approaches to analyze the process of the W chromosomal differentiation in two selected Passeriform species, named the Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas and the Rufous-bellied thrush T. rufiventris. We characterized the full catalog of satellite DNAs (satellitome) of T. leucomelas, and the 10 TleSatDNA classes obtained together with 16 microsatellite motifs were in situ mapped in both species. Additionally, using Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) assays, we investigated their intragenomic variations. The W chromosomes of both species did not accumulate higher amounts of both heterochromatin and repetitive sequences. However, while T. leucomelas showed a heterochromatin-poor W chromosome with a very complex evolutionary history, T. rufiventris showed a small and partially heterochromatic W chromosome that represents a differentiated version of its original autosomal complement (Z chromosome). The combined approach of CGH and sequential satDNA mapping suggest the occurrence of a former W-autosomal translocation event in T. leucomelas, which had an impact on the W chromosome in terms of sequence gains and losses. At the same time, an autosome, which is present in both males and females in a polymorphic state, lost sequences and integrated previously W-specific ones. This putative W-autosomal translocation, however, did not result in the emergence of a multiple-sex chromosome system. Instead, the generation of a neo-W chromosome suggests an unexpected evolutionary trajectory that deviates from the standard canonical model of sex chromosome evolution.

Behaviour of native birds and analysis of vocalizations, in a small reforested urban space near downtown Goiânia, Goiás state, Brazil

Due to habitat loss, several bird species that are dependent on forest environments seek refuge in green spaces within cities. The objective this study was to verify if the afforestation with autochthonous fruit trees of a small urban space could provide enough resources as food, shelter, and substrate for nesting of autochthonous bird species. Between June 2020-May 2021, during the covid-19 pandemic we observed the activity of bird species that visited a small forested urban space in Goiânia, Brazil. We recorded the behavioural activities of the birds using the focal animal technique, recordings of vocalizations and photographic and video recordings. About thirty species of birds were seen visiting our small urban wooded space. The most conspicuous species were the Amazonian Motmot, Picazuro Pigeon, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-Browed Peppershrike, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Great Kiskadee, Blue and Yellow Macaws, and the Common Potoo. All these species rested, vocalized and took refuge in the small urban wooded space. We also observed some species that nested, and many others that fed on tree fruits, insects and earthworms. We verified the presence of Amazonian Motmots (Momotus momota) adapted to this environment when we saw adult and juvenile Motmots and found an active nest. We also verified the reproductive adaptation of the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) observing the courtship and mating behaviour and found an occupied nest, which corroborates with the reproductive adaptation of the Picazuro Pigeon. We emphasize that native fruit trees are a fundamental part of urban environments, as they guarantee food for frugivorous birds, whereas mature leafy trees provide conditions for nesting and allow birds to congregate and communicate.

Detection of neutralizing antibodies against flaviviruses in free-ranging birds, Paraguay (2016-2018).

Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), West Nile virus (WNV) and Ilheus virus (ILHV) are flaviviruses maintained by enzootic transmission networks between mosquitoes and birds. They have been detected in South America, with no records for Paraguay. We detected the presence of neutralizing antibodies for SLEV, WNV and ILHV in free-ranging birds collected in Paraguay (2016-2018). Four positive samples were detected in resident birds: one SLEV (rufous-bellied thrush), one WNV (barred antshrike) and two ILHV (white-tipped dove and shiny cowbird). These results bring new information about enzootic activity of flaviviruses in Paraguay.

Local and landscape features of wooded streets influenced bird taxonomic and functional diversity

Wooded streets diminish the negative consequences of urban growth on biodiversity. However, bird use of wooded streets has been little studied, in most cases analyzing bird species richness and abundance in developed countries. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between environmental variables of wooded streets of Buenos Aires City (Argentina) and bird taxonomic and functional diversity as well as species and functional trait composition. We placed 26 100m × 50m transects within the wooded streets of the urban center. Bird surveys were performed during the austral spring and summer. Species richness, Pielou’s evenness, Shannon index, Functional dispersion (FDis), and species and functional trait composition were analyzed. Taxonomic and functional diversity were negatively related to pedestrian and motorized vehicle traffic. On the other hand, taxonomic diversity was related positively to streets with varied tree heights. Native taxonomic diversity and functional diversity increased near green areas. The coverage of high buildings was negatively related to the native taxonomic diversity. Bird species associated with humans, such as the Rock Dove (Columba livia) and the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) increased their abundances in sites with high pedestrian and motorized traffic. The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), the Baywinged Cowbird (Agelaioides badius), and the Red-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) were positively related to varied tree heights. Birds that feed on the ground and the undergrowth were negatively associated with the coverage of high buildings. It is imperative to preserve green areas and to control motorized vehicle traffic in order to improve the environmental quality of wooded streets for supporting bird diversity.

Use of response guilds of understory birds in threatened subtropical forest to monitor selective logging impact

Unplanned logging is one of the greatest current threats to native forests biodiversity. About 90% of the piedmont forest in the Southern Andean Yungas has been converted to other land-use types and the remaining forests fragments are being intensively logged without management plans. Bird species, especially understory birds, are good indicators of forest diversity and integrity. The aim of this study was to identify understory bird species associated with changes in the forest structure caused by selective logging and to explore whether it is possible to use these species as a monitoring tool. We observed that Sittasomus griseicapillus, Turdus rufiventris, Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, Casiornis rufus, Thraupis sayaca, and Tolmomyias sulphurescens were associated to unlogged sites with higher density of timber-yielding and standing dead trees. Thamnophilus caerulescens, Leptotila megalura, Synallaxis scutata, Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps, and Catharus ustulatus were favoured by logging activities and associated with understory visual obstruction. Mean cut-off abundance thresholds were 2.74 ind/ha for the avian guild associated with unlogged forest and 1.79 ind/ha for the guild associated with logged forest. Sustainable forest management schemes need to retain the understory visual obstruction at values similar to those of unlogged forest (43.75%), together with an adequate density (≥10 ind/ha) of standing dead trees with at least 19.5 cm in DBH, and a minimum of 210 ind/ha of timber tree species. Bird species identified in this study can be used in monitoring schemes to evaluate the implementation of these guidelines.

Window Collisions by Birds in Brazil: Epidemiologic Factors and Radiographic and Necropsy Assessments.

Birds are among the most visually proficient group of animals on the planet; however, their inability to visualize and discriminate translucent glass structures results in an extreme number of deaths worldwide from high-speed collisions. Despite reports of avian glass collisions in North America, only a few studies have been developed to understand this problem in South America, and none evaluated radiographic and postmortem findings. One hundred cadavers were examined radiographically and postmortem, and data from 186 collision reports were analyzed for seasonality (website and manual reports and cadavers). A total of 34 different species of birds within 22 families were evaluated for this study, with the rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris; n = 12), eared dove (Zenaida auriculata; n = 12), and ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti; n = 10) being the most common species. Only 6 (27.7%) migratory species were reported: Sick's swift (Chaetura meridionalis), small-billed elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris), Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca), Great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), Double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens), and Creamy-bellied thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus). Males (51) were more frequently reported than females (5), and 50.1% of the males had active gonads. Sex was unable to be determined in 44 birds. The most common radiographic lesion, noted in 16 of 82 (19.5%) animals, was loss of coelomic definition, suggestive of hemorrhage. Prevalent postmortem findings included skull hemorrhages (58/75, 77.3%) and encephalic contusions (47/73, 64.4%), followed by coelomic hemorrhages (33/81, 40.7%). Most of the window collisions (61/186, 32.8%) occurred during spring, the most common breeding season of avian species in Brazil. Cranioencephalic trauma was identified as the primary cause of mortality associated with birds flying into glass windows. Migration does not appear to be the main predisposing factor for window collisions by birds in Brazil. Increased activity and aggression related to breeding season, especially in males, may be a more important predisposing factor for window collision accidents.

Bird Taxonomic and Functional Diversity in Three Habitats in Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Urban green spaces (UGS), such as parks and wooded streets, are open areas with vegetation that provide sustainability to urban areas. However, their role in conserving bird diversity in neotropical cities has scarcely been analyzed. The aim of this study was to analyze the variation of bird assemblages in non-wooded streets, wooded streets, and parks in Buenos Aires City, Argentina. We compared the taxonomic and functional diversity between these habitat types. We selected five non-wooded streets, five wooded streets, and five parks in the city. Bird surveys were performed in 100 m long and 50 m wide transects. We found that taxonomic diversity had the greatest value in the parks, followed by wooded streets, and then the non-wooded streets. Functional diversity was similar between habitats. The taxonomic and functional composition changed between habitats. Non-wooded streets were dominated by the Rock Dove (Columba livia) and the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata), whereas parks had the highest abundance of the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). Non-wooded streets were dominated by omnivorous and granivorous species, whereas parks had a higher abundance of herbivorous and frugivorous species. The positive association between UGS and bird diversity highlights the role of UGS as biodiversity conservation sites in neotropical cities.

RECORD OF ABERRANT PLUMAGE IN Turdus rufiventris AND Mimus saturninus (AVES: PASSERIFORMES) IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Aberrant colorations are not considered unusual events in nature. Recently, several cases have been reported in articles and/or notes of scientific communication, thus contributing to the knowledge about these mutations in wildlife and reporting the affected species. Here, we bring two new records of wild birds with aberrant plumage in southern Brazil: one record of a leucistic Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) individual and the first record of progressive greying in the Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus).

Borrelia genospecies in Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis (Acari: Ixodidae) from Argentina

The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia infection in Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis ticks from Argentina. Specimens of Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis were collected on vegetation and birds in five locations belonging the most humid part of the Chaco Biogeographic Province. Specimens were tested for Borrelia infection by nested-PCR targeting the flaB gene and the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer region (IGS), sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. A total of 48 Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis (12 questing adults from vegetation and 20 nymphs and 16 larvae on nine bird species: Arremon flavirostris, Basileuterus culicivorus, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris, Myiothlypis leucoblephara, Tachyphonus rufus, Thlypopsis sordida, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris and Troglodytes aedon) were collected. Twelve adults, 14 nymphs and 11 larvae (3 individually and 8 in 3 pools) were analyzed. Partial sequences were detected in 6 adults, 11 nymphs and 4 larvae (2 individual and 2 pools). Phylogenetically, the Borrelia found in Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis belongs to the B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) complex. The partial sequences obtained from the borrelian gene flaB and IGS were associated to two groups formed by sequences previously detected in Ixodes fuscipes, Ixodes longiscutatus and Ixodes pararicinus from the Southern Cone of America in northern Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. The results of this work suggest that the haplotypes of B. burgdorferi s. l. complex detected in the three species of the I. ricinus complex distributed in the Southern Cone of America are related and widely distributed.

NEW RECORDS OF BIRDS WITH ABERRANT PLUMAGE IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL, SOUTHERN BRAZIL

We present here six new cases of birds with aberrant coloring in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Records were made via non-systematized field activities. We suggested Progressive Greying in Zenaida auriculata, Turdus rufiventris, Leptasthenura setaria, Molothrus bonariensis and for Sporophila collaris a case of Dilution – pastel. The study contributes with new informations about chromatic anomalies in birds’ plumages in Southern Brazil, since these cases must be divulged in specialized literature.

Traditional knowledge and perception of birds in the Parnaíba Delta environmental protection area, Northeast Brazil

Local inhabitants retain a vast knowledge about the bird richness surrounding them, as well as many of their ethological and ecological aspects, and can identify the importance of those birds to the maintenance of ecosystem integrity. The present study sought to document the traditional knowledge retained by members of the Labino community concerning the avifauna of the Delta do Rio Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area (APA), Piauí State, Brazil. We interviewed 76 male (51% of the sample) and 74 female (49%) residents. The interviewees indicated the occurrence of 97 bird species belonging to 21 orders and 40 families. Men could identify more bird species than women. Older individuals recognize more bird species than younger members of the community. Individuals with less schooling demonstrated greater knowledge of species richness than those with more formal educations. A very significant percentage (45%, n = 68) of the interviewees reported consuming native birds, principally Aramides cajaneus, Columbina squammata, and Zenaida auriculata. A total of 48 species were perceived as having their populations reduced in recent years, principally Mimus gilvus, Icterus jamacaii, Aramides cajaneus, Turdus rufiventris, and Cacicus cela. The residents of the Labino community were therefore found to have a detailed knowledge of the local avifauna and perceived impacts caused mainly by hunting in the Parnaiba River Delta region.

Morphological and molecular identification of Isospora massardi Lopes, Berto, Luz, Galvão, Ferreira & Lopes, 2014 (Chromista: Miozoa: Eimeriidae) from thrushes Turdus spp. (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in South America

In the current work, Isospora massardi Lopes, Berto, Luz, Galvão, Ferreira & Lopes, [10] is identified from white-necked thrushes Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818, rufous-bellied thrushes Turdus rufiventris Vieillot, 1818 and from a new host, the yellow-legged thrush Turdus flavipes (Vieillot, 1818) in a new locality, the Itatiaia National Park, in Southeastern Brazil, providing a preliminary genotypic characterization via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The oocysts and sporocysts of I. massardi of the current study are morphologically similar to the original description and are uniform in the proportionality of width on length, but exhibited different patterns of size associated with each host species. Furthermore, a genotypic difference of 3% was found in the COI sequences from T. flavipes and T. albicollis. Therefore, an ecological discussion is introduced aimed at associating these morphometric and genotypic differences with an ongoing speciation process.

Seasonal changes in the song control nuclei of the Rufous‐bellied Thrush, Turdus rufiventris (Oscine, Passeriformes, and Turdidae)

In vocal learning birds, memorization and song production rely on a set of telencephalic nuclei referred to as the song control system. Seasonal changes in song production are correlated with changes in the volume of the song control nuclei and are influenced by photoperiodic conditions and hormonal cues. The seasonal volume changes in the avian brain that controls singing are thought to involve regulation of neuronal replacement, which is a striking example of neuronal plasticity. The Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) is a seasonally breeding bird that actively sings during the spring and summer (breeding season) and is relatively silent in the fall, yet possible mechanisms behind the periodic changes in song production remain unknown. Here, we have examined two song control nuclei: High vocal center (HVC) and robust nucleus of arcopallium (RA) in fall males, spring males, and fall females of Rufous-bellied Thrush. The cytoarchitectonic organization was analyzed and quantified from Nissl-stained sections, and gene expression of song nuclei markers was examined by in situ hybridization during breeding and nonbreeding seasons. We observed a reduction in HVC volume and reductions in parvalbumin, and RGS4 expression in HVC and RA in males during the nonbreeding season. These findings provide evidence of seasonal changes in the song system of a representative tropical-breeding Turdidae species that does not maintain territories or mate bonding, setting the histological and molecular groundwork for future studies aimed at better understanding of song nuclei changes in seasonally breeding songbirds.

ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS: a data set of bird morphological traits from the Atlantic forests of South America

Scientists have long been trying to understand why the Neotropical region holds the highest diversity of birds on Earth. Recently, there has been increased interest in morphological variation between and within species, and in how climate, topography, and anthropogenic pressures may explain and affect phenotypic variation. Because morphological data are not always available for many species at the local or regional scale, we are limited in our understanding of intra- and interspecies spatial morphological variation. Here, we present the ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS, a data set that includes measurements of up to 44 morphological traits in 67,197 bird records from 2,790 populations distributed throughout the Atlantic forests of South America. This data set comprises information, compiled over two centuries (1820-2018), for 711 bird species, which represent 80% of all known bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest. Among the most commonly reported traits are sex (n=65,717), age (n=63,852), body mass (n=58,768), flight molt presence (n=44,941), molt presence (n=44,847), body molt presence (n=44,606), tail length (n=43,005), reproductive stage (n=42,588), bill length (n=37,409), body length (n=28,394), right wing length (n=21,950), tarsus length (n=20,342), and wing length (n=18,071). The most frequently recorded species are Chiroxiphia caudata (n=1,837), Turdus albicollis (n=1,658), Trichothraupis melanops (n=1,468), Turdus leucomelas (n=1,436), and Basileuterus culicivorus (n=1,384). The species recorded in the greatest number of sampling localities are Basileuterus culicivorus (n=243), Trichothraupis melanops (n=242), Chiroxiphia caudata (n=210), Platyrinchus mystaceus (n=208), and Turdus rufiventris (n=191). ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS (ABT) is the most comprehensive data set on measurements of bird morphological traits found in a biodiversity hotspot; it provides data for basic and applied research at multiple scales, from individual to community, and from the local to the macroecological perspectives. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or teaching and educational activities.

Plant–frugivore interactions in an urban nature reserve and its nearby gardens

AbstractIn the current global context of growing urbanization, urban nature reserves play a crucial role as habitats that serve educational, recreational and conservation purposes. Biodiversity conservation within urban reserves is a challenging task, particularly since connectivity between a reserve and its surrounding artificial green spaces (e.g. gardens and parks) may affect the ecological processes within the reserve in complex ways. In this context, we studied the feeding interactions between plants and birds to provide evidence that an urban nature reserve is connected to its surrounding artificial habitats by mobile organisms. We focused on fleshy-fruited plants and frugivorous birds, and we used a network approach to describe the feeding interactions between these two guilds. The most important connecting bird was Turdus rufiventris, an abundant and obligate frugivore, whose abundance was positively linked to fruit availability in most of the study sites. The apparent increase in the abundance of T. rufiventris in one habitat when it decreases in the other suggests that the two habitats may be complementary for this species. The nature reserve, with many native plants, however, seems to be the preferred site when both habitats offer an abundant fruit supply. Our results suggest changes in either habitat can have consequences in the other one, which has broad implications for the design of management plans of urban nature reserves.

Wild birds as host of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in northwestern Argentina

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) spirochetes are associated with a wide range of vectors and hosts. Birds are important hosts in the ecology of some hard ticks (Ixodidae) in northwestern Argentina, where B. burgdorferi s.l. have been detected in Ixodes pararicinus. We evaluated Borrelia infection in ticks collected from wild birds by molecular analysis through the presence of Borrelia DNA (by nested-PCR targeting the fla gene). A total of 381 ticks (357 larvae and 24 nymphs) belonging to four species (I. pararicinus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris and Amblyomma sp.) were collected. Partial sequences of the fla gene of Borrelia (100% identical to Borrelia sp. haplotype I from Argentina) were detected in 9 of 70 tick pools (6 pools of larvae and 1 pool of nymphs of I. pararicinus, and in 2 pools of H. juxtakochi larvae) collected on Turdus rufiventris, Syndactila rufosuperciliata and Troglodytes aedon. The results of this study suggest that resident birds have reservoir capacity for Borrelia sp. haplotype I.

Behavioral responses of urban birds to human disturbance in urban parks at Curitiba, Paran\xe1 (Brazil)

Proximity to humans can influence behaviors that are essential in birds’ life, such as breeding, foraging and flight. In urban parks, which are important natural shelters to birds, human activity varies broadly in time such that attentiveness and escaping behavior of birds may be intensified as humans’ density increases. In this study, we tested this hypothesis in six urban parks at Curitiba, southern Brazil, using three common bird species as models, the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), the Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). Specifically, we tested if foraging rate, alert distance (AD), flight initiation distance (FID) and flight distance (FD) were related to human density at birds’ surroundings. We found no influence of humans on birds foraging rate, whereas AD, FID and FD decreased with human density in the area. We also found differences in birds escaping strategy; “flying” strategy was associated with higher AD, FID and FD than “walking”. Results also indicate that humans’ presence temporally affected birds’ vigilance and flight responses, evident through their constant foraging rate irrespective of human density, i. e. increased tolerance to human proximity. Our study provides evidence of behavioral plasticity of the model species to the intensity of human use of their living area, which also highlights the importance of further efforts in creating refuges within urban parks to minimize negative anthropic impacts on urban species.

TWO LEUCISM CASES IN Turdus rufiventris Vieillot, 1818 (BIRDS, TURDIDAE), IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Dois casos de leucismo em Turdus rufiventris (Aves, Turdidae), no sul do Brasil. A presente comunicação reporta dois casos de leucismo em Turdus rufiventris, no Sul do Brasil. Um espécime mutante foi registrado em perímetro urbano, no município de Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. O indivíduo apresentava rêmiges secundárias totalmente brancas na asa esquerda, e coloração normal no restante do corpo. O segundo espécime foi registrado num fragmento florestal, em área rural no município de Santa Maria, RS. A mutação afetava parte da cabeça, pescoço, peito e cauda.

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of a Brazilian Lineage of Plasmodium ( Novyella) Unalis in Turdus Spp. (Passeriformes) of the Atlantic Forest, with Remarks on New Hosts and High Genetic Variation.

Plasmodium spp. are haemosporidian protozoans that alternate their live cycles between bloodsucking Culicidae dipterans and vertebrate hosts (mammals, reptiles, and birds). In birds, these parasites are the causative agents of the so-called avian malaria, a disease associated with considerable declines and extinctions in the avifauna in different geographical regions. In this work, we applied a multidisciplinary approach, light microscopy and cytochrome oxidase b (cyt b) gene sequence analysis, for characterization of Plasmodium spp. found in association with wild birds of the genus Turdus, collected in Atlantic forest fragments of southeastern Brazil. From the total 90 analyzed birds, 58 (47 Turdus rufiventris, 9 Turdus leucomelas, 1 Turdus albicollis, and 1 Turdus flavipes) were positively infected with Plasmodium unalis, a haemosporidian that was previously detected in Turdus fuscater in Colombia and in penguins in Brazil, but has never been found in association with these Turdus species of this present work. Moreover, all 7 new sequences of P. unalis cyt b gene clustered into a monophyletic clade with previously characterized P. unalis sequences with a mean genetic divergence of 1.6% and with a maximum divergence of 3.1%, indicating for a high degree of intraspecific polymorphism within this parasitic species. Together, our data highlight the existence a high degree of intraspecific variation within P. unalis and highlight the importance of integrative taxonomy to an accurate identification and characterization of avian haemosporidian parasites.