Abstract
Birds play an important role in the ecology of ticks in the Tribeč and Hronský Inovec Mountains. Although the population density of birds is relatively constant (in comparison with that of mammals), the number of species present and the relative importance of each change with the seasons. In spring the probability of birds becoming infected by ticks is fairly low and the phoretic relations between birds and ticks are less important then than at other times of the year. During summer and autumn the activity of birds increases and during these periods they spread ticks both to neighbouring and to more distant biotopes. The stability of the bird population and the great mobility of birds lead to the establishment of durable tick stands and a fairly uniform tick density on suitable biotopes.
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