Columba Livia Gmelin Research Articles

First report on the diversity of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) using plumage coloration and patterning in Saravena, Arauca, Colombia

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789), native to Africa and Eurasia, is extensively found across Europe, Western Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The pigeon (Columba livia) was domesticated several centuries ago and holds a privileged place as a symbol of peace, love, fidelity, and ornamentation in parks. In recent decades, an increase in the populations of these pigeons has been detected. The Spanish brought Columba livia to Colombia in the 15th century. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of the domestic pigeon using loci related to plumage coloration and patterning in Saravena. Random sampling was conducted in six colonies between March and April 2024. Through urban visits, direct observation, and photographic records, a phenotypic classification of each of the 580 pigeons from the different flocks studied was carried out. Autosomal markers associated with coloration and plumage were analysed: Grizzle, Spread, Checker, and the sex-linked locus Ash-Red. Genetic profiles were calculated using indices: allele frequency, genetic diversity, and population structure, estimated with the PopGene 1.31 program. Diversity was assessed using the FSTAT program. The dendrogram was constructed with the MEGA X program. The marker with the highest allele frequency was Grizzle (P=0.1834), while the Spread marker had the lowest values (P=0.0300). The highest HT value was 0.3002 for the Grizzle marker, GST showed figures of 0.0360, and gene flow was 20.6; the FIS and FIT statistics reported values of 0.2779 and 0.2848, and FIT was 0.0091. Moderate genetic diversity, a deficit of heterozygotes, and an excess of homozygotes were observed, along with low interpopulation genetic differentiation and high gene flow between subpopulations. Low genetic distance values were also found between the studied subpopulations. The populations are closely related genetically, which may be due to their geographical proximity, which has favoured genetic exchange.

Iberian wild goat coprophagy on dove guano. A case report and insights from food analysis

Heterospecific coprophagy. i.e., the consumption of excreta of other species, is reported and documented for the first time for Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica Schinz, 1838 and is discussed in light of the nutritional composition of the excreta. Two adult female goats were observed consuming guano of rock dove Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 in March 2021 in the Natural Park of Guara. The chemical composition and feed value of the dove guano consumed by goats was analyzed using standard methods of food analysis. The guano had moderate energy content and high concentrations of nitrogen-compounds that are convertible into protein. It was also rich in macronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and sulfur, some of which (namely phosphorus) may be deficient for goats in calcareous environments such as the study area. High levels of sodium and possibly of guanine can cause hedonistic responses to salty and umami flavors that may contribute and reinforce this feeding habit. The guano was affected by desiccation and aging resulting from outdoor exposure, which might have also decreased its degree of pathogenicity. We hypothesize that female Iberian wild goats could be stimulated by guano in the second half of their pregnancy period, when their protein requirements increase. Heterospecific coprophagy has been documented in a wide range of mammals indicating it may be an important feeding activity, but it is still poorly described and understood. Its causes, consequences and relevance should deserve more attention to better understand their feeding ecology. This has to be faced under a multidisciplinary approach.

Intestinal helminthic parasites in Columba livia (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in southern Brazil: do seasons influence helminth infections in the Neotropical region?

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze intestinal helminthic infections in pigeons Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 (Columbiformes: Columbidae) which were collected in three different seasons in southern Brazil. Material and methods: Ninety birds (hosts) were captured in the urban area in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, in autumn, winter and spring in 2018 and 2019. Results: Helminths species and their prevalences were: Ascaridia columbae (33.33%), Baruscapillaria obsignata (23.33%) (Nematoda), Brachylaima mazzantii (3.33%) (Digenea), Skrjabinia sp. (11.11%) and Killigrewia sp. (3.33%) (Cestoda). Prevalence and mean intensity of infection in the three collection periods did not show any significant difference, except A. columbae, which was more prevalent in autumn than in spring. Conclusion: Results showed that abiotic and environmental conditions found in the region were suitable for the development of intestinal helminths associated with C. livia in the sampling periods in southern Brazil.

Gastrointestinal parasites of feral pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789) at two temples of Kathmandu valley

Protozoans, helminths and other gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in Aves are an imperative but often ignored topic in rising nations like Nepal. Accurate inspections of GI parasites in feral pigeons inform pragmatic treatment regimens. In a prospective examination of intestinal parasites in the coprological study of feral pigeons in April 2016, a total of 120 samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and examined by microscopy of direct and concentrated faecal sample techniques to detect ova, larvae, and oocysts of parasites. Altogether 109 (90.83%) samples were positive with 6 genera of GI parasites. The study identified one genus of protozoa: Eimeria sp. (43.34%) and five genera of helminths: Capillaria sp. (51.67%), Ascaridia sp. (27.50%), Heterakis sp. (19.17%), Syngamus sp. (4.17%) and Tetrameres sp. (1.70%). The prevalence rate of helminth parasites (83.34%) was higher than the prevalence rate of protozoan parasites (43.34%). The present study revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of helminths and protozoan parasites (χ²=15.14, p<0.05). However, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites showed no significant variation with respect to single and mixed infection (χ² =1.56, p>0.05). The present study examined a higher prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites due to a lack of deworming programs in feral pigeons and a lack of sustainable action designs. Therefore, the sustainable action design and its implementation to control parasitic infection and reduce the health hazards of feral temple pigeons were recommended.

Аntibiotic resistance of bacterial cultures isolated from the feral pigeon (Columba livia) and starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at a solid waste landfill

Resistance to antibiotics is well-known global phenomenon. There are places contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance such as waste landfills, especially ones that accept medical waste which did not undergo disinfection and livestock waste with bacteria not sensitive to antibiotics. An extensive system of transfer of antibiotic resistant microorganisms is formed on these territories (zoochory, groundwater, transport etc.). The aim of the research was to determine the species composition of bacteria isolated from birds of Derhachi municipal solid waste landfills in Kharkiv city, Ukraine. Also, we determine the sensitivity of bacterial isolates to a number of standard antibiotic drugs. We collected droppings of feral pigeons (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789; Columbidae) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758; Sturnidae) during the winter period in 2020/2021; both species are dominants of waste landfills. We isolated 15 bacteria species of 4 families by bacteriological methods (growing on simple and selective media and identification by biochemical properties): Enterobacteriaceae (Enterobacter asburiae, E. dissolvens, E. cancerogenus, E. cloacae, E. sakazakii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella terrigena, K. ornithinolytica, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis), Yersiniaceae (Serratia ficaria, S. rubidaea, S. entomophila), Morganellaceae (Providencia stuartii) and Pseudomonadaceaе (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Sensitivity was determined by the disk-diffusion method to 18 antibiotics. Ten isolates turned out to be multiresistant-resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobial drugs. A promising direction for future research is the determination of the pathogenicity of the isolates and checking the roles of birds of Derhachi solid waste landfills as reservoirs of pathogens. Currently, it can be assumed that large concentrations of synanthropic birds (especially those that forage on solid waste landfills) with a high probability are reservoirs of many bacteria, in particular those that have developed resistance to drugs.

Rhinonyssidae and Ereynetidae mites in Columba livia (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in southern Brazil

This study aims to record mites associated with the respiratory system of Columba livia Gmelin, 1789, including data of parasitological indices and of coinfections in southern Brazil. Two hundred and two specimens of C. livia were collected in the urban area in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. Fifty-six (27.7%) birds were parasitized by Rhinonyssidae and Ereynetidae mites. Tinaminyssus columbae (Crossley, 1950) and Tinaminyssus melloi (Castro, 1948) (Rhinonyssidae) were found in nasal cavities and tracheae of the birds. Trispeleognathus striatus (Crossley, 1952) (Ereynetidae) was found in hosts’ nasal cavities. The prevalence of Rhinonyssidae mites (25.2%) was significantly higher than obtained for Ereynetidae (5.9%). Coinfections only occurred in nasal cavities of 8 (3.96%) birds. This study records for the first time T. columbae and Trispeleognathus striatus parasitizing C. livia in Brazil. In addition, mite infection indices and coinfections of Rhinonyssidae and Ereynetidae mites in this Columbidae species are recorded.

Histomorphological study of olfactory organ in rock dove, Columba livia Gmelin, 1789

The present study aimed to investigate the morphological description and histological structure of olfactory organ in rock dove (Columba livia). Results of the present study revealed that the nasal cavity of the species under investigation is anteriorly located, starting with a pair of external nares which located at the dorsal side of the base of upper beak. The external nares lead to two short nasal cavities. Each nasal cavity consist of three conchae or turbinates represented by anterior or vestibular concha, middle or respiratory concha and posterior or olfactory concha. The nasal cavity ended by a pair of internal nares which opened at mouth cavity. Results related with the histological structure of olfactory organ revealed that the vestibular concha lined by stratified squamous epithelium, the respiratory concha lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and olfactory concha lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The last concha showed three types of differentiated cell represented by basal cells, supporting cells, and receptor cells.

Variation in Ectosymbiont Assemblages Associated with Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) from Coast to Coast in Canada

When a species colonizes a new area, it has the potential to bring with it an array of smaller-bodied symbionts. Rock Pigeons (Columba livia Gmelin) have colonized most of Canada and are found in almost every urban center. In its native range, C. livia hosts more than a dozen species of ectosymbiotic arthropods, and some of these lice and mites have been reported from Rock Pigeons in the United States. Despite being so abundant and widely distributed, there are only scattered host-symbiont records for rock pigeons in Canada. Here we sample Rock Pigeons from seven locations across Canada from the west to east (a distance of > 4000 km) to increase our knowledge of the distribution of their ectosymbionts. Additionally, because ectosymbiont abundance can be affected by temperature and humidity, we looked at meteorological variables for each location to assess whether they were correlated with ectosymbiont assemblage structure. We found eight species of mites associated with different parts of the host’s integument: the feather dwelling mites Falculifer rostratus (Buchholz), Pterophagus columbae (Sugimoto) and Diplaegidia columbae (Buchholz); the skin mites: Harpyrhynchoides gallowayi Bochkov, OConnor and Klompen, H. columbae (Fain), and Ornithocheyletia hallae Smiley; and the nasal mites Tinaminyssus melloi (Castro) and T. columbae (Crossley). We also found five species of lice: Columbicola columbae (Linnaeus), Campanulotes compar (Burmeister), Coloceras tovornikae Tendeiro, Hohorstiella lata Piaget, and Bonomiella columbae Emerson. All 13 ectosymbiont species were found in the two coastal locations of Vancouver (British Columbia) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). The symbiont species found in all sampling locations were the mites O. hallae, H. gallowayi, T. melloi and T. columbae, and the lice Colu. columbae and Camp. compar. Three local meteorological variables were significantly correlated with mite assemblage structure: annual minimum and maximum temperatures and maximum humidity in the month the pigeon was collected. Two local meteorological variables, annual maximum and average temperatures, were significantly correlated with louse assemblages. Our results suggest that milder climatic conditions may affect richness and assemblage structure of ectosymbiont assemblages associated with Rock Pigeons in Canada.

Darwin's Fancy Revised: An Updated Understanding of the Genomic Constitution of Pigeon Breeds.

Through its long history of artificial selection, the rock pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin 1789) was forged into a large number of domestic breeds. The incredible amount of phenotypic diversity exhibited in these breeds has long held the fascination of scholars, particularly those interested in biological inheritance and evolution. However, exploiting them as a model system is challenging, as unlike with many other domestic species, few reliable records exist about the origins of, and relationships between, each of the breeds. Therefore, in order to broaden our understanding of the complex evolutionary relationships among pigeon breeds, we generated genome-wide data by performing the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method on close to 200 domestic individuals representing over 60 breeds. We analyzed these GBS data alongside previously published whole-genome sequencing data, and this combined analysis allowed us to conduct the most extensive phylogenetic analysis of the group, including two feral pigeons and one outgroup. We improve previous phylogenies, find considerable population structure across the different breeds, and identify unreported interbreed admixture events. Despite the reduced number of loci relative to whole-genome sequencing, we demonstrate that GBS data provide sufficient analytical power to investigate intertwined evolutionary relationships, such as those that are characteristic of animal domestic breeds. Thus, we argue that future studies should consider sequencing methods akin to the GBS approach as an optimal cost-effective approach for addressing complex phylogenies.

Promyialges italicus sp. nov. (Astigmata: Epidermoptidae) with redescriptions of mites of the families Epidermoptidae and Cheyletidae (Prostigmata) associated with Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from Iran and Italy

Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is a parasite of pigeons but also a host for hyperparasitic mites living on the same avian hosts. Four species and subspecies of mites found on this louse fly, Myialges anchora , Promyialges italicus sp. nov. , Promyialges lophortyx (Astigmata: Epidermoptidae), and Ornithocheyletia hallae hallae (Prostigmata: Cheyletidae), are described or redescribed. One new species of feather mites is described from Tuscany, Pisa, Italy, from Pseudolynchia canariensis (Mcquart, 1840) from Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789). This is the first report of the genera Myialges and Ornithocheyletia for the Iranian fauna, while the subspecies Ornithocheyletia hallae hallae represents a new report for Asia. Specimens of O. hallae from populations in Italy and in Iran differ morphologically. According to these findings, we recognized two subspecies, Ornithocheyletia hallae hallae and O. hallae similis .

New records of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) from Egyptian pigeons and doves (Columbiformes), with description of one new species

Little information is available about the chewing lice of wild birds of Egypt, including common groups such as pigeons and doves (Columbiformes). Through this work, parasitic chewing lice of common columbiformes of Egypt were revised including new data. Three species of pigeons and doves (Streptopelia decaocto Frivaldszky 1838, Spilopelia senegalensis Linnaeus 1766 and Columba livia Gmelin 1789) were examined for chewing lice at three different localities. A total of 124 specimens of lice were collected. Nine species were identified from these samples; one species (Columbicola joudiae n. sp.) was considered a new species to science, six species were recorded from Egypt for the first time, and two species have been identified in Egypt before. Taxonomic and ecological remarks for all identified chewing lice samples are provided along with known and local hosts, measurements and material examined. Description and images of the new species are also provided.

Composition and structure of the helminth community of Columba livia (Gmelin, 1798) (Aves, Columbidae), in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to describe the composition and structure of the helminth community present in domestic pigeons, in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The helminthological survey of 35 hosts revealed the presence of two digenetic trematodes, Tanaisia (Paratanaisia) bragai (prevalence 51.42%, mean intensity 288.8 ± 403.86 and mean abundance 148 ± 320.9) and T. inopina (prevalence 2.85% and mean abundance 0.68 ± 4.05); five cestodes, Raillietina allomyodes (prevalence 34.28%, mean intensity 6.66 ± 9.14 and mean abundance 2.28 ± 6.11), Raillietina sp. (prevalence 37.14%, mean intensity 9 ± 10.68 and mean abundance 3.34 ± 7.7), Skrjabinia bonini (prevalence 20%, mean intensity 2.14 ± 1.21 and mean abundance 0.42 ± 1), Skrjabinia sp.( prevalence 5.7%, mean intensity 6 ± 7 and mean abundance 0.34 ± 7) and Fuhrmanneta sp. (prevalence 2.85% and mean abundance 0.028 ± 0.16) and four nematodes, Baruscapillaria obsignata (prevalence 51.42%, mean intensity 29.72 ± 44.2 and mean abundance 15.28 ± 34.7); Ascaridia columbae (prevalence 51.42%, mean intensity 60.55 ± 79.88 and mean abundance 31.14 ± 64.2); Tetrameres fissipina (prevalence 14.28%, mean intensity 346.3 ± 504.4 and mean abundance 49.42 ± 212.1) and Synhimanthus (Dyspharynx) nasuta (prevalence 2.85% and mean abundance 0.028 ± 0.16). Among the examined hosts, 97.2 % were found parasitized by at least one helminth species. In accordance with the prevalence of each species T. bragai, A. columbae and B. obsignata were considered secondary species and T. inopina, T. fissipina, S. nasuta, S. bonini, Skrjabinia sp., R. allomyodes, Raillietina sp. and Fuhrmanneta sp. were considered satellite species. All the species exhibited aggregate distributions, which is the most common distribution pattern in helminth populations.

Case 3692Columba liviaGmelin, 1789 andColumba livia domesticaLinnaeus, 1758 (Aves, columbidae): proposed conservation of specific and subspecific names in conformance with prevailing usage

The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the existing usage of the name Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 by granting livia Gmelin, 1789 precedence over the names domestica Linnaeus, 1758, gutturosa Linnaeus, 1758 and cucullata Linnaeus, 1758, whenever any of them is considered a synonym of livia. The three latter names are all subjective senior synonyms that cannot be subject to reversal of precedence under Article 23.9.1 of the Code. Columba livia Gmelin, 1789, the rock dove or rock pigeon, is a common bird species of pan-global distribution, the ‘wild stem’ of feral pigeons and domestic pigeon breeds and a species of economic and cultural importance. In order to conserve the trinomen Columba livia domestica Linnaeus, 1758, which has some modern usage in experimental biology for feral populations and domestic breeds when such a distinction is desired at the subspecies level, it is additionally proposed under Article 23.9.3 to set aside Article 24.1 of the Code and grant domestica Linnaeus, 1758 precedence over both gutturosa Linnaeus, 1758 and cucullata Linnaeus, 1758 whenever either of the latter is considered a synonym of the former.

An environmentally benign and cost-effective technique for reducing bird damage to sprouting soybean seeds

Worldwide, birds are considered to be the most destructive pests of soybean during the sprouting and seedling stages. The spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis (Scopoli) and occasionally feral pigeon, Columba livia Gmelin (Columbiformes: Columbidae) causes heavy damage in newly sown soybean fields in northeast India. Due to adverse side effects of chemicals on ecosystem and protection of the S. chinensis by laws; use of reflective ribbons and protecting nets are very common practices to prevent the bird damage in soybean. Scarring of birds manually by employing labourers is expensive; while the reflective ribbons provide inadequate protection against the birds. Although protective nets are highly effective, they are expensive and unaffordable for small and marginal farmers. Therefore, to find out a cheaper and environmentally friendlier technique, a series of experiments was conducted on soybean variety ‘Bragg’ at the entomology farm during the year 2011–2013. Initially, the foraging behavior and feeding preferences of the doves and pigeons were studied under field conditions, and accordingly different sowing times (STs), planting depths (PDs), and temporary physical barriers (TPBs) were employed to protect the sprouting seeds from the damage. Rice and maize straw along with reflective ribbons were used to create TPBs over the sown field. The doves and pigeons preferred feeding on sprouted seeds only up to the green cotyledon stage. However, the seedling damage was observed up to the first trifoliate leaf stage. An inverse relationship was found between the delay in ST and PD with the bird damage. Significantly lower damage (18.5%) was found in treatments consisting of rice straw cover with reflective ribbon (RSCRR). The bird damage varied significantly with different STs, PDs, and TPBs during 2012–2013. Also, the damage varied significantly for treatments with interactions between ST×PD, ST×RSCRR, PD×RSCRR, and ST×PD×RSCRR. The overall results show that, bird damage was significantly reduced (only 3.45% bird damage); when the soybean was sown during mid-July at a 4.0-cm PD and temporarily covered with RSCRR. Rice straw being cheaper and readily available biomass can further be re-utilized for composting and other agro-processing techniques. This technique can also be applied in other parts of the world with slight modifications in the ST and PD.

Abundance and stability of populations of a chewing louse,Mulcticola macrocephalus(Phthiraptera: Philopteridae), on common nighthawks,Chordeiles minor(Caprimulgiformes: Caprimulgidae) in Manitoba, Canada

AbstractPopulations of the chewing louse,Mulcticola macrocephalus(Kellogg) (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae), were investigated on its host the common nighthawk,Chordeiles minor(Forster) (Aves: Caprimulgiformes: Caprimulgidae), from 1992 to 2013 in southern Manitoba, Canada. The louse was present in all but one year with an annual prevalence of 0.52, mean intensity of 16 lice per infested bird, a ratio of 0.81 males and 1.89 nymphs to female (n=178). Intensity was the same in the first 11 and last nine years of the study, but prevalence dropped from 0.59 to 0.34 between the two decades. Population variability for annual abundance, measured as PV, was 0.49. In August, adults and newly fledged nighthawks had a prevalence of infestation similar to the adults that immigrated in the spring, but mean intensity did not reach spring levels until September–October. Samples of hosts were small in some years, reducing the precision of parameter estimates, particularly those based on ratios. The population parameters forM. macrocephaluson a native migrant host were intermediate in the ranges of parameters for four species of lice on non-migratory, introduced feral pigeons,Columba liviaGmelin (Aves: Columbiformes: Columbidae), but the distributions ofM.macrocephalusamong nighthawks was less severely aggregated than those from pigeons.

Seasonal population dynamics of four species of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae, Philopteridae) on feral pigeons (Aves: Columbiformes: Columbidae)

AbstractSeasonal dynamics of louse (Phthiraptera) populations on feral pigeons, Columba livia Gmelin (Aves: Columbiformes: Columbidae) were investigated from 2003 to 2012 in southern Manitoba, Canada. Pigeons were infested with: Philopteridae – Campanulotes compar (Burmeister), Columbicola columbae (Linnaeus), and Coloceras tovornikae Tendeiro; Menoponidae – Hohorstiella lata (Piaget). We consider the hypothesis that four species living on the same host show similar seasonal dynamics, coordinated by the life history of the host. Adults of both sexes and nymphs of all four species were present on pigeons throughout the year, consistent with continuous feeding and reproduction. Campanulotes compar and C. columbae populations were low in spring and peaked in September, with C. columbae showing greater seasonal changes for all population parameters. Coloceras tovornikae showed two annual peaks in abundance in spring and late summer, and H. lata was most abundant in the cold months of the year. Over 10 years, the four species showed distinct seasonal dynamics, although they live on the same birds. Seasonal patterns provided no evidence that louse reproduction or abundance is coordinated by the long breeding and moulting seasons of the host.

Abundance and stability are species traits for four chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae, Philopteridae) on feral pigeons,Columba livia(Aves: Columbiformes: Columbidae)

AbstractPopulation parameters of ectoparasites on feral pigeons,Columba liviaGmelin (Aves: Columbiformes: Columbidae), were estimated from 1995–2012 in southern Manitoba, Canada. The ectoparasites are chewing lice (Phthiraptera): Philopteridae –Campanulotes compar(Burmeister),Columbicola columbae(Linnaeus), andColoceras tovornikaeTendeiro; Menoponidae –Hohorstiella lata(Piaget). We tested the hypotheses that both abundance and population stability are species-specific traits. Over 10 years, the four species of lice had distinct population dynamics.Campanulotes comparandC. columbaewere more abundant thanC. tovornikaeandH. lata, had higher male to female sex ratios and higher ratios of nymphs to females, different levels of aggregation, and more stable populations.Campanulotes comparwas more prevalent thanC. columbaeand its prevalence was more stable, and the two species also showed differences in the levels and stabilities of male and nymph to female ratios.Coloceras tovornikaehad a higher prevalence and male to female sex ratio thanH. lata, but the two species showed similar levels of stability for these parameters. The level of stability of these populations was relatively high compared with many other organisms, and in particular higher than for plant ectoparasites (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Although the four species occupy similar habitats, often on the same bird, and three of the four feed in a similar way, the population biology of each species is distinct. The life history traits that lead to these differences have yet to be determined.

Replacement and growth of primary feathers in captive rock pigeons, Columba livia (Aves: Columbidae)

The replacement and growth of 311 primary feathers of eight captive male rock pigeons, Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 were monitored daily. Feather replacement was recorded in all months, but the primaries 1 to 5 (innermost primaries) were replaced mostly from September to December, whereas the primaries 6 to 10 (outermost primaries) were more frequently replaced from January to August. Each primary was held in plumage from six to fifteen months, but the lifetime of the outer feathers was longer than that of the inner feathers. A new primary emerges two or three days after its predecessor has been dropped, but the primaries replacing the feathers accidentally lost during bird handling emerge only after about eight days. The average growth period of a primary ranged from 21 to 37 days, with the larger and outermost feathers exhibiting a longer growth period. A constant average growth rate of 4 to 5 mm/day was found for all primaries until the last two days of growth, when the growth rate of the feathers became progressively slower. Bilateral symmetry in the primary replacement, when the same feather is replaced simultaneously in both wings, was not significant (22.2%) in the birds monitored in this study.

Distribution pattern of apicomplexan parasites (Sporozoa: Haemosporida) in Columba livia, Gmelin

During 39months of sampling, the prevalence of apicomplexan parasites (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) was studied in Columba livia Gmelin of Rohilkhand region, UP, India, according to the sex of the host, different seasons and host localities. Out of 266 pigeons sampled, 148 pigeons were positive for Haemoproteus at a prevalence of 55.63%. Only 18 pigeons (2.67%) had a dual Haemoproteus and Plasmodium infection and 130 pigeons (48.87%) had Haemoproteus infection. No pigeons were positive for Plasmodium alone. Parasite incidence in relation to the sex of the host indicated a higher infestation in females (62.79%) as compared to males (57.65%). The overall highest infectivity of parasites was recorded during the summer season (82.85%) followed by spring season (59.37%) and least in the winter season (42.30%). It was also observed that Haemoproteus occurred at diverse infectivity in C. livia from different localities (Badaun 51.35%, Bareilly 57.14%, and Shajahanpur 58.06%) whereas Plasmodium was recorded at 11.18% only from Bareilly. The intensity of the parasite was highest (2.77/100 RBC) at Shahjahanpur.

Reproduction management affects breeding ecology and reproduction costs in feral urban Pigeons (Columba livia)

Reproduction management of natural popsulations can have long-term consequences that have to be examined to avoid unwanted side effects. Management policies of urban Pigeons ( Columba livia Gmelin, 1789) include the set up of public Pigeon houses that aim at limiting hatching rate by egg removal. However, long-term consequences of this management method on the ecology of this species are still unknown. In this study we examined how egg removal affected egg-laying cycles of Pigeons by using a powerful method of time-series analysis, the wavelet method. We compared egg-laying cycles in Pigeon houses exposed to different management treatments and found that egg-laying cycles were shorter (4 weeks) in Pigeon houses with egg removal compared with control Pigeon houses without egg removal (11 weeks), suggesting that Pigeons respond to egg-removal pressure by multiplying reproduction attempts. Furthermore, we found that egg quality, an important index of female condition, was negatively affected by egg removal. This result suggests that the observed increase of egg production can lead to an increase of reproductive physiological costs and to a decrease of female condition. This study raises issues about potential consequences of such a management procedure on parasite resistance and health status of urban bird populations.