Bird-Parasite Interactions: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior

Birds are hosts to many parasites, internal and external. The parasites inevitably form a burden to the host bird and therefore may affect its ability to grow, survive and reproduce as well as its behavior and the abundance and distribution of the whole species. As a consequence, bird-parasite systems have attracted attention from diverse fields. This book draws together a comprehensive range of experts in the field to provide an invaluable reference of current work in bird-parasite interactions. The book addresses the contemporary context of research in bird-parasite systems, and case studies which combine theoretical concepts with evidence from the literature and experimental data. Equal attention is given to ecology, behavioral response to parasitism, and sexual selection. This work will be of interest to biologists, evolutionary biologists, wildlife ecologists, and ornithologists and other professionals in related fields.