Hematozoa in two populations of the threatened red-billed chough in Spain

The prevalence of hematozoa in two populations of red billed choughs (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) was sampled in 1992 and 1994 in Spain. Two blood parasites infected red-billed choughs. A species of Plasmodium, possibly Plasmodium relictum, and the piroplasm Babesia frugilegica, are described for the first time from this host. Low prevalence (1/178, <1%) of hematozoa in these populations, was evidence for a lack of effects of blood parasites on the life history and conservation of this threatened species in at least the two populations studied.