Birds as predators of ticks (Ixodoidea) in South Africa

A total of 7,334 crop and/or stomach contents from 239 species of South African birds were examined for ticks. Only 36 ticks were found: 24 in 21 cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), four in four helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), one in a crowned plover (Vanellus coronatus) and seven in a single lilacbreasted roller (Coracias caudata). In most cases identification of the ticks was not possible although the genera Boophilus, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus were represented. With the exception of the oxpeckers which were not represented in this survey, we conclude that predation by birds on ticks is uncommon in South Africa.