Here, we studied the prevalence of cutaneous pox-like lesions and the diversity of APV strains in house sparrows, a widespread peridomestic bird, with high abundance in urban centres, around livestock and in cereal farms. Passer domesticus is ideal for studying the prevalence of avian pox lesions and the dynamics of a circulating pathogen because of their abundance, ubiquity and their association with human settlements. They are known to host diverse APV strains from both the CNPV and FWPV clades . We examine whether prevalence, or strain type, varies along an urban to agricultural habitat gradient. This will provide a base level assessment for future comparison, and identify whether specific habitat types pose a higher risk for APV transmission. Sampling was carried out at different landscape types (urban, agricultural and natural) near both to farms and to the Doñana National Park in South Spain (Huelva province), which is a breeding ground and transit point for approximately 300 different species of birds. Additionally, we studied the prevalence and diversity of APV genotypes in several sites in central Spain.