Ectoparasites Associated with Migratory Birds, Eastern Desert, Red Sea, Egypt

Chewing lice, ticks, mites, and other ectoparasites can infect migratory birds and transmit to resident birds. Ectoparasites cause allergic reactions, irritation, anorexia, decrease in economic income, and may transmit some pathogens between birds. Our current study examined and detected ectoparasites on migratory birds in the Eastern Desert and Gabel El Zeit area, Red Sea, Egypt. During this study, we examined eighty-two migratory birds to detect ectoparasites between March 2019 and May 2022. In this period, we collect 82 newly dead migratory birds belonging to 7 orders; 36 birds of Ciconiiformes, 35 birds of Accipitriformes, four birds of Coraciiformes, two birds of Falconiformes, two birds of Pterocliformes, two birds of Suliformes, and one bird of Columbiformes were examined for ectoparasites. The collected ectoparasites from the migratory birds were preserved freezing or in 70% ethanol until identified as species in the laboratory examination. A total of twenty-six ectoparasite species were collected, belonging to 16 lice, four ticks, four flies, and two mites on migratory birds. Concluded that more studies should be conducted aimed at studying ectoparasites on all species of soaring birds migrating through Egypt.