Absence of blood parasites in the Red-Necked Nightjar

One-hundred and six Red-Necked Nighjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) were sampled in southern Spain to determine the incidence of haematozoa infection in relation to their expression of sexual ornaments (i.e., white wing and tail patches). Birds were sampled just after breeding and during molt, when blood parasites could affect plumage coloration, but none of these birds was infected by haematozoa. The low prevalence of blood parasites in this and other nightjar species cannot be satisfactorily explained at present.