Identification of beak and feather disease virus in an unusual novel host (Merops ornatus) using nested PCR

The complete genome sequence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) was discovered from a rainbow bee-eater (Merops ornatus), a species of Coraciiformes. The genome consisted of 1,996 bp encoding two major bidirectional transcribed open reading frames. This is the first evidence of BFDV infection and complete genome characterization for this novel host species.