Abstract:
Executive summary
Gastrointestinal parasites have always been a problem causing severe parasitism in captive
birds where the herds are kept in a small range of areas. This present study was carried out to
investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of captive birds in Bangladesh. A total of 100
pooled fecal sample of birds were selected randomly in which the ages of those birds were
determined according to the size of crown, length of the spur and flexibility of xiphoid
cartilage together along with the information from the owner. The fecal samples were
examined by direct smear method and simple sedimentation technique for detection of
parasitic eggs, cysts, or oocysts. After those coproscopical examinations, the overall
prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection was 42.00%. Six gastrointestinal parasites,
namely, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Capillaria sp., Balantidium coli, Eimeria
spp., and Giardia sp. were documented during the study. The highest parasitic infection
(60.00%) was observed in the fecal sample collected from Mirpur and Cumilla, followed by
Shatfeet (40.00%), Katabon (28.00%), and Mohammadpur (20.00%) whereas, 25.00% of
Ascaridia galli, 8.00% of Heterakis gallinarum, 8.00% of Capillaria spp., 8.00% of Eimeria
spp., 7.00% of Balantidium coli and 2.00% of Giardia spp. were observed. In this
investigation, Dove, Cockatoo, Pigeon, Parrot, Guinea fowl, Budgerigar, Quail, and Love
bird were examined where parasitic infections were found at 92.30%, 85.71%, 80.65%,
50.00%, 42.84%, 26.67%, 25.00%, 9.09%, respectively. Single infection (23.00%) was
higher than multiple infections (19.00%) in this study. Moreover, the prevalence of helminth
(29.00%) was found relatively higher than protozoan infection (24.00%). The findings of
this study will help pet bird owners, and breeders, as well as veterinarians, to respond
effectively to the disease's prevention and control.
