Haemoproteus is a genus of protozoa that are parasitic in birds, reptiles and amphibians. The genus created was by Kruse in 1890. Its name is derived from Greek: Haima - blood and Proteus - a sea god who had the power of assuming different shapes. Three other genera - Halteridium, Haemocystidium and Simondia - are now considered to be synonyms of Haemoproteus. The protozoa are intracellular parasites that infect the erythrocytes. They are transmitted by blood sucking insects including mosquitoes, louse flies (Hippoboscidae) and biting midges (Culicoides). Infection with this genus is sometimes know as pseudomalaria because of the parasites' similarities with Plasmodium species. Within the genus there are 134 species, 5 varieties and 1 subspecies. Of these 114 occur in birds, 16 in reptiles and 3 in amphibia: 14 orders and 47 families of birds are represented. These include gamebirds (Galliformes), waterfowl (Anseriformes), raptors (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes), pigeons and doves (Columbiformes), and perching birds or songbirds (Passeriformes).

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