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Abstract The distribution of avian haemosporidians of the genusLeucocytozoonin the Neotropics remains poorly understood. Recent studies confirmed their presence in the region using molecular techniques alone, but evidence for gametocytes and data on putative competent hosts forLeucocytozoonare still lacking outside highland areas. We combined morphological and molecular data to characterize a newLeucocytozoonspecies infecting a non-migratory red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata), the first report of a competent host forLeucocytozoonin Brazil.Leucocytozoon cariamaen. sp. is distinguished from theLeucocytozoon fringillinarumgroup by its microgametocytes that are not strongly appressed to the host cell nucleus. The bird studied was coinfected withHaemoproteus pulcher, and we present a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete mitochondrial genomes of these 2 parasites.Leucocytozoon cariamaen. sp. morphology is consistent with our phylogenetic analysis indicating that it does not share a recent common ancestor with theL.fringillinarumgroup.Haemoproteus pulcherandHaemoproteus cathartiform a monophyletic group withHaemocystidiumparasites of Reptilia, supporting the polyphyly of the genusHaemoproteus. We also discussed the hypothesis thatH. pulcherandH. cathartimay be avianHaemocystidium, highlighting the need to study non-passerine parasites to untangle the systematics of Haemosporida.