Wren Tick

Ixodes

Wrens spend a lot of time on the ground which gives ticks an opportunity to attach themselves. A bird's head, neck and face are especially vulnerable.  Ixodes brunneus is a specific species known to feed on passerine birds, including wrens. A dust bath, the process of rolling about in loose dirt or dust, helps birds rid their bodies of parasites. Ticks seeking a blood meal can transmit diseases and sometimes cause paralysis, or blindness if located near the bird's eyes.

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