Avian trypanoplasma (avian malaria)
Avian trypanoplasmosis, also called avian malaria, is a parasitic blood disease that affects many species of birds, including birds of prey such as the buzzard (Pernis apivorus). It is caused by microscopic parasites transmitted by the bite...
What is it?
Avian trypanoplasmosis, also called avian malaria, is a parasitic blood disease that affects many species of birds, including birds of prey such as the buzzard (Pernis apivorus). It is caused by microscopic parasites transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking insects, mainly mosquitoes.\n\nThis disease weakens the bird by destroying its red blood cells, which can cause more or less marked anemia. In wild birds, the infection is often chronic and discreet, but it can become serious in a stressed, injured or immunocompromised individual, as happens during treatment in a health center.
Key point
In an already weakened wild bird, this disease can progress to severe anemia which is potentially fatal if it is not treated quickly.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
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Clinical signs are often subtle in an otherwise vigorous bird, and the infection may go unnoticed. When the disease expresses itself, we observe general fatigue, weakness, despondency and reluctance to fly. The mucous membranes (visible especially in the mouth) may appear pale due to anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells. The bird may also show a loss of appetite and progressive weight loss. In severe forms, breathing difficulties and a state of prostration may appear.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The disease is caused by blood-parasitic protozoa belonging to the genus Plasmodium (or related genera such as Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, often grouped under the term avian malaria). These parasites invade the bird's red blood cells and multiply there, causing their gradual destruction.
Young birds, individuals already weakened (injury, other illness, malnutrition) and those subjected to significant stress (capture, transport, captivity) are more likely to develop a serious clinical form. The significant presence of mosquitoes in the environment, particularly near humid areas or during hot and humid periods, favors transmission.
Transmission
Transmission occurs exclusively through the bite of insect vectors, mainly mosquitoes (notably Culex genus), which carry the parasite from an infected bird to a healthy bird. There is no direct transmission between birds, nor contamination by contact or food.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The diagnosis is based on clinical observation by a veterinarian specializing in wildlife or avian wildlife, supplemented by a blood test: a colored blood smear makes it possible to look for the parasite inside the red blood cells under a microscope. Molecular tests (PCR) can confirm the species of parasite involved. These examinations are mainly carried out in wildlife care centers or veterinary clinics specializing in birds, because a buzzard is a protected raptor rarely presented to traditional clients.
Treatment
Treatment is based on supportive care: rehydration, appropriate nutritional intake and rest in a calm environment protected from biting insects. Specific antiparasitic molecules can be used under strict veterinary supervision in proven and clinically significant cases. Treatment is always decided and supervised by a veterinarian, particularly for a protected wild species like the buzzard.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
There is no direct means of prevention for a free-living wild bird, as exposure to biting insects is part of its natural environment. In wildlife care and conservation centers, mosquito control (mosquito nets, elimination of stagnant water around aviaries) helps reduce the risk of transmission or reinfection in hospitalized birds, particularly those that are weakened.
Possible complications
Severe anemia can lead to failure of vital organs, especially in a young bird or an already weakened individual. Wild raptors captured in a care center for another reason (injury, poisoning) are particularly vulnerable if avian trypanoplasmosis is present at the same time, because their physiological reserves are already damaged. Death can occur if left untreated, especially in the event of co-infection.
When to see a veterinarian
A wild raptor appears abnormally weak, despondent, or unable to fly properly.
Visible mucous membranes (mouth) appear pale.
The bird refuses to eat or visibly loses weight.
A bird already in care at a care center presents a sudden worsening of its general condition.
Any discovery of a wild raptor in distress must be reported to a wildlife conservation center or a veterinarian, without attempting to treat it yourself.
Prognosis
The prognosis depends greatly on the general condition of the bird at the time of diagnosis. An otherwise healthy warbler can tolerate a mild infection without much visible consequence. On the other hand, a young, injured, stressed or already sick individual has a more guarded prognosis, as the anemia can worsen quickly. Early treatment in a specialized care center improves the chances of recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can avian trypanoplasmosis be transmitted to humans?
No. The parasites responsible for this disease in birds are not transmissible to humans. There is no risk of direct or indirect contamination for people handling an infected bird.
How does a buzzard get this disease?
The bird is contaminated by the bite of a mosquito or another biting insect carrying the parasite. There is no direct contact necessary between birds for the disease to be transmitted.
Can an infected buzzard heal on its own?
In a wild bird in generally good health, the infection may remain unobtrusive and be kept under control by its own immune system. But a weakened, injured or stressed individual needs veterinary care to avoid worsening.
Can we prevent this disease in wild raptors?
There is no individual prevention possible for a wild bird in the wild. In health centers, exposure to biting insects can be limited for hospitalized birds, which reduces the risk of new infection or worsening.
References
WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)
CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 29 September 2026
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