Survey of some blood parasites in three species of wild birds in Babylon Province, Iraq

Abstract

This study is included two species of birds belong to the Columbidae family, i.e., Columba livia and Streptopelia senegalensis, as well as a species of the family Passeridae, Passer domesticus, in Babylon province during the period from December 2020 to December 2021. Blood parasites were examined by microscopic examination of stained blood films prepared from 130 birds of C. livia, 122 birds of S. senegalensis, and 112 birds of P. domesticus. The overall prevalence rate of all species of blood parasites during the study period is 31.59%. Five types of blood parasites were recorded: Haemoproteus columbae, Leucocytozoon marchouxi, Haemoproteus passeris, Plasmodium spp., and Leucocytozoon fringillinarum. The parasite H. columbae is the most prevalent in C. livia and S. senegalensis, with infection rates of 21.53% and 19.67%, respectively and H. passeris in P. domesticus with a percentage of 16.96%. Females are more infected than males in the three species of birds, besides, the infection with blood parasites in the center of the province is higher than in the districts and sub-districts. This is the first study for the detection of blood parasites in P. domesticus and S. senegalensis in Babylon Province.