Prevalence of parasites of pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in the hilly region of Meghalaya

M. Das; Rakesh Kumar; R. Laha; D. Bhattacharjee

M. Das Division of Animal and Fishery Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103
Rakesh Kumar Division of Animal and Fishery Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103
R. Laha Division of Animal and Fishery Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103
D. Bhattacharjee Division of Animal and Fishery Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103

Keywords: Parasite, Pigeons, Hilly region, Meghalaya

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which pigeons in the
hilly regions of Meghalaya are infected with both internal and external parasites. A total of
195 numbers of faecal samples were examined for four months by using flotation and
McMaster techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in
pigeons of Umiam, Meghalaya was 44.10%. Eggs of Ascaridia columbae (18.60%),
Paratanaisia bragai (15.11%), Capillaria obsignata (9.30%), Strongyloides avium (12.79%),
Raillietina cesticillus (6.97%), Raillietina tetragona (11.62%), Eimeria sp. (8.13%) and mixed
infection (17.44%) were recorded. Examination of blood smear revealed presence of
Haemoproteus columbae (6.63%). Necropsy of 6 numbers of pigeons revealed presence of
Raillietina tetragona (33.33%), Raillietina echinobothrida (16.66%), Cotugnia sp. (16.66%),
Cysticercus sp. (16.66%) and Paratanaisia bragai (16.66%). Two species of ectoparasites,
Menopon gallinae (16.66%) and Columbicola columbae (33.33%) observed. The present
findings have significance because these parasites have detrimental effect on the infected
birds and also serve as a possible reservoir for zoonotic diseases.