Ectoparasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Sabzevar city, Iran

Objectives: Pigeons have a role in spreading parasite disease to other animals which have economic importance and zoonotic diseases to humans. The aim of this study was performed to identify external parasites and their prevalence in domestic pigeon in Sabzevar city, Iran. Material & Methods: 110 domestic pigeons (75 females and 35 males) were collected from Sabzevar city, Iran from May 2016 to March 2017. They were investigated to determine the prevalence of parasites. The ectopa­rasites were preserved in 70° ethanol for taxonomic identification.   Results & Conclusion: The pigeons were infected with five species of parasites including: Menopon gallinae (19.09%), Menacanthus stramineus (13.63%), Argas reflexus (11.81%), Dermanyssus gallinae (4.54%), Lipurus caponis (3.63%). This is the first survey to determine the prevalence and identify the species of ectoparasites among pigeons in Sabzevar city. This survey reveals that the prevalence of ectoparasites in pigeons is high and it shows that these pigeons were reared in non-hygienic conditions.    

Sabzevar - Ectoparasites - domestic pigeons