A field survey of arthropod parasites of birds in Taiwan

In winter 1963–64 in lowlands of central and southern Taiwan, 1561 freshly collected wild birds of 105 species were examined for arthropod parasites. An average of 65% of the birds were found harboring Mallophaga; 26%, Hippoboscidae; 2%, Ixodidae; 28%, chiggers or trombiculid larvae; 45%, feather mites; and 19%, nasal mites. No bedbugs or fleas were revealed. Parasitism rate, notably of chiggers and feather mites in a narrow, densely forested valley was generally higher than in a wide deforested or thinly forested area. Eleven species of Hippoboscidae were collected; their host range and preference, species association, as well as disharmonic distributional pattern, are discussed. Determinations of the other parasites are not yet completed.