Alvarado-Piqueras, AlbertoGómez Muñoz, María TeresaMartín-Maldonado, Bárbara2025-10-102025-10-102025Alvarado-Piqueras, A., Gómez-Muñoz, M. T., & Martín-Maldonado, B. (2025). Hemoparasites in Wild Birds: A Systematic Review of Their Ecology and Clinical Implications. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 15(17), 2570. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1517257010.3390/ani15172570https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124803Author Contributions: Conceptualization, B.M.-M. and M.T.G.-M.; methodology, B.M.-M. and A.A.-P.; formal analysis, B.M.-M. and A.A.-P.; investigation, B.M.-M. and A.A.-P.; data curation, B.M.-M. and A.A.-P.; writing—original draft preparation, A.A.-P. and B.M.-M.; writing—review and editing, M.T.G.-M., A.A.-P. and B.M.-M.; supervision, M.T.G.-M. and B.M.-M.; project administration, M.T.G.-M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Hemoparasites are blood-borne parasites transmitted by vectors and are commonly found in wild birds worldwide. The most frequently reported genera include Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma, while filarial worms and other hemoparasites are less frequently reported. Despite their importance, knowledge of their effects on the health of wild birds remains limited. This systematic review summarizes all scientific findings on hemoparasites in wild birds, emphasizing their implications for host health. The literature reveals a high number of articles in this area in recent decades, reflecting a growing concern about hemoparasites in wildlife and their ecological impact. However, studies remain unevenly distributed across regions and bird taxa. Diagnostic limitations, particularly in fieldwork and wildlife rehabilitation, continue to present challenges for the accurate detection and monitoring of these parasites. Nevertheless, molecular tools have advanced our understanding of parasite diversity and host-parasite dynamics. Our work highlights key knowledge gaps and stresses the need for further research to improve the understanding of the role of hemoparasites in avian ecology, particularly concerning environmental change and emerging infectious diseasesengAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/journal article2076-2615https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1517257040941364open access576.8ApicomplexaHaemoproteusLeucocytozoonPlasmodiumTrypanosomaFilarial wormsHemosporidianPathogenicityWildlifeAvesParasitología (Veterinaria)3109 Ciencias Veterinarias