A STUDY ON ECTO-PARASITES AND GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITES OF DOMESTIC PIGEON (Columba livia) IN CHITTAGONG METROPOLITAN AREAS

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons in Chittagong metropolitan, Bangladesh. Total 50 squabs and 50 adult pigeons were examined for the presence of ecto and gastro intestinal parasites. Among 100 pigeons, 72 were infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal helminthes, 67 had one or more ecto parasites. Total 6 species of gastro intestinal parasites were found. Among them, four were nematodes, one was belonged to protozoa and one cestode was found. The identified species were Ascaridia galli (35%), Capillaria sp (22%), Heterakis gallinarum ( 13%), Eimeria sp (11%), Syngamus trachea (3%) and Raillietina sp (6%). The different species of ectoparasites Pseudolynchia canariensis (43%), Lipeurus caponis (28%), Columbicola columbae (21%), Menopon gallinae (13%), Menocanthus stramineus (16%) and Goniodes gallinae (28%) were identified. The study revealed that adult pigeons were more prone to both gastrointestinal parasites (74%) (P > 0.05) and ectoparasites (84%) (P < 0.05) compared to squabs (70 and 48% accordingly). Among all gastrointestinal parasites, Ascaridia galli (35%) was highest. Zero prevalence of eggs of cestode was found in squabs. Prevalence of C. columbae and M. stramineus were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) between two age groups. Extensive studies are recommended for the molecular identification of parasites of pigeon and for assessing the effects of the parasites on the health and production of pigeons.