Wild turkeys, the only Illinois resident birds in the study, were also the only species infected with all three haemosporidians, which means that they were infected in Illinois by different vectors carrying each different parasite. The most abundant genus, Haemoproteus, was found in all four avian hosts. The study found three genera of haemosporidian parasites: Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon (Annetti et al., 2017). Wild turkeys were the only non-migratory species surveyed, which made the study’s findings specific to Illinois. Three of the bird species (mourning doves, wood ducks, and Canada geese) could migrate, meaning they could be infected in another state, and they could have brought the parasite to Illinois from the prior migrating location. For the study, Annetti and collaborators collected blood samples from mourning doves, wood ducks, Canada geese, and wild turkeys, which were then evaluated for the presence of parasites at the Wildlife Veterinary Epidemiology Laboratory of the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois. (2017) surveyed haemosporidian parasites in four different bird species. In Illinois, a study conducted by Annetti et al.
Surveying haemosporidian parasites are essential to determine emerging or reemerging parasite infections, geographic distribution and expansion of the blood parasites, the bird species affected by the parasites, and disease outbreaks caused by different parasite species. Reports of haemosporidians in European birds of prey and owls (Krone et al., 2008), endangered South African penguins (Snyman et al., 2020), endangered North American quails (Bertram et al., 2017,) and whooping cranes (Pacheco et al., 2011) emphasize the importance of epidemiological surveys to evaluate blood parasites that could be affecting bird populations around the world (Figure 2). In fact, haemosporidian parasites have been found on birds’ blood smears from every continent except Antarctica (Figure 2 Smith et al., 2016).
Loon chick and parent Photo by Leellen Solter.Īvian blood parasites will infect any bird that is a suitable host. General life cycle of haemosporidian parasites. All these clinical signs may result in behavioral changes and death. Similar to human malaria, infected birds may develop malaria-like disease,Īnorexia (low body weight), hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), lethargy, and depression, among many other clinical signs. For example, Leucocytozoon parasites are transmitted to birds by black flies, and mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium parasites (responsible for malaria) and Haemoproteus parasites. These blood parasites have a non-specific, broad range of avian hosts and are transmitted by biting vectors that participate in the parasites’ life cycle (Figure 1).
Avian haemosporidian parasites are blood parasites found globally in birds. Parasitic infections in birds are a significant threat to the health and conservation of avian species. Are blood parasites found in resident and migratory birds in Illinois? By Kelsey Martin, Nelda A.
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