This book, authored by Gediminas Valkiūnas, provides a comprehensive overview of bird haemosporidians, a group of parasitic protists that have been extensively studied for their role in understanding human malaria. The book begins by tracing the historical development of research on bird haemosporidians, from the initial discoveries by V.Ya. Danilewsky in 1884 to the more recent work of P.C.C. Garnham in 1966. It highlights the significant contributions of bird haemosporidians as models in medical parasitology, particularly in the study of malaria. The author emphasizes the practical importance of bird haemosporidians, noting that they can cause diseases in domestic birds and pose risks in captive and wild bird populations. The book also discusses the challenges in species identification and the need for more comprehensive taxonomic studies. It reviews the distribution, ecology, and pathogenicity of bird haemosporidians, supported by extensive data and illustrations. The content is organized into several chapters, each focusing on different aspects of bird haemosporidians, including their life cycles, vectors, and interactions with hosts. The book also addresses the broader ecological and evolutionary implications of these parasites, making it a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals in parasitology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.This book, authored by Gediminas Valkiūnas, provides a comprehensive overview of bird haemosporidians, a group of parasitic protists that have been extensively studied for their role in understanding human malaria. The book begins by tracing the historical development of research on bird haemosporidians, from the initial discoveries by V.Ya. Danilewsky in 1884 to the more recent work of P.C.C. Garnham in 1966. It highlights the significant contributions of bird haemosporidians as models in medical parasitology, particularly in the study of malaria. The author emphasizes the practical importance of bird haemosporidians, noting that they can cause diseases in domestic birds and pose risks in captive and wild bird populations. The book also discusses the challenges in species identification and the need for more comprehensive taxonomic studies. It reviews the distribution, ecology, and pathogenicity of bird haemosporidians, supported by extensive data and illustrations. The content is organized into several chapters, each focusing on different aspects of bird haemosporidians, including their life cycles, vectors, and interactions with hosts. The book also addresses the broader ecological and evolutionary implications of these parasites, making it a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals in parasitology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.