Brain parasites and misorientation of migratory birds

Abstract

Haemoproteus blood parasites of birds are thought to be relatively benign. Recent findings show that infections may develop in the brain of birds, possibly distorting their orientation sense. Misdirected migration may lead migrants outside their range where they are recognized as vagrants and can transmit parasites to novel hosts.

Keywords: Haemoproteus; birds; host manipulation; vagrants.