Recently I came across a photograph of Lark. This individual was infested with Ixodus sp.? This reminded me my work in Satpuda. While working on Forest Owlet I could see similar parasites on the owl fledglings.

Now my questions are -—-
Are these parasites are species specific?
Is same species of parasite infects all bird species?
Is there any co-evolution between a bird species and parasite?
How these parasites go from one bird species to another?

Please comment on this.

Girish