Prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation of pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Assam, India

Abstract

A prevalence study was carried out to assess the ectoparasitic infestation of pigeon in Assam for which 324 pigeons were examined during January 2015 to February 2016. Of the total, 129 birds were found positive, the overall percentage of infestation being 39.78%. Seven species of ectoparasites were identified and species wise, percentage of prevalence were Columbicola columbae (12.03%), Menopon gallinae (4.62%), Lipeurus caponis (2.16%), Goniocotes gallinae (1.85%), Menacanthus stramineus (2.77%), Goniodes gigas (1.23%) and Pseudolynchia canariensis (15.12%). It was seen that the pigeons infested with Pseudolynchia canariensis had highest rate of infestation (15.12%) followed by Columbicola columbae (12.03%) and lowest record observed in case of Goniodes gigas (1.23%).