Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon infections in birds of the Oklahoma City Zoo.

A total of 222 birds, captive or free-flying in the Oklahoma City Zoo, were examined for blood parasites; 31 (14%) harbored Haemoproteus and/or Leucocytozoon. While 21% of the indigenous avifauna were infected, only 8% of the exotic bird species harbored haemoproteids and these parasites were also exotic to North America. There was no evidence to indicate that exotic infections were transmitted to native birds or vice versa.