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Abstract
Due to recent changes in breeding behavior, young American white ibis (Eudocimus albus) are becoming more urban-associated. We assessed the avian influenza virus (AIV) and Salmonella prevalence of these birds by sampling nestlings in a novel urban ibis rookery for two breeding seasons, as well as a natural rookery during one breeding season. AIV prevalence of urban juvenile ibis was evaluated, and we maintained a captive colony of nestlings to determine the characteristics of ibis Salmonella infection. No AIV was detected, but we found that nestlings had a high prevalence of maternal antibodies. Both free-living and captive nestlings had high prevalence of Salmonella with no evidence of clinical disease and reduced susceptibility to reinfection after recovery. Prevalence of Salmonella in urban colonies was significantly higher than natural colonies. These findings illustrate age- and habitat-specific aspects of ibis pathogen dynamics, with implications for urban wildlife ecology and public health.