Ácaros plumícolas em beija-flores no município de Vicência, Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

The infestation by feather-mites on hummingbirds was studied. A total of 86 birds were captured with mist-nest at the Engenho Independência, municipality of Vicência, Pernambuco, Brazil. Of those, 59 individuals (68.6%) were infested by feather-mites of the genera Trochilodectes Park & Atyeo, 1971; Toxerodectes Park & Atyeo, 1971; and Schizodectes Park & Atyeo, 1972 (Proctophyllodidae). The most infested body parts were the remiges and rectrizes. The infestation prevalence varied between 40.0% and 78.4%, and was higher during the dry season for the three bird species evaluated. Keywords: hummingbirds, ectoparasites, feather-mites.