Survey of the Gatrointestinal Parasites of Pigeon (Columbia Livia Domestica- Gmelin-1789 Aves: Columbidae) from Katsina-Nigeria

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is the world’s oldest domesticated bird and it is important in lives of humans, it provides meat, it is used in research, exhibition, sports and it was once used to deliver messages during wars. The domestic pigeon is however affected by a number of ecto and endoparasites, which of universal occurrence and there is little or no available data about the gastrointestinal parasites of domestic pigeon in Katsina township where it is frequently consumed as a source of protein. This study is therefore a preliminary study of the gastrointestinal parasite of domestic in Katsina metropolis carried out in two study sites namely; abattoir of the central market and chicken slaughtering site, at Yan Turaku. A total of 100 intestinal tract samples were collected between the months of July to December 2017 and examined for gastrointestinal parasites at the Laboratory of the Department of Biology, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria. The results of this study showed a total of 23 pigeons were infected representing 23% (27.1-19.2)95 CI. The results showed that central market abattoir had 14/50 (28.0%, 29.7-23.3 95% CI) and ‘Yar Turaku had 9/50 (18.0%, 20.1 -14.5 95% CI). Three species of parasites were countered in both the study sites, which were, Ascaridia columbae (a nematode), Raillitina species (a cestode), and Capillaria species (also a cestode). The parasite intensity was mild for both the sites and the respective intestinal parasites. The study has revealed the presence of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic pigeon in Katsina Township. The prevalence was however lower compared to other studies and there was no significant difference between the occurrence of the parasites from the two study sites, and there no difference between rates of infection of three parasites encountered as this is may be due the fact the sample size was relatively smaller. Further research is being undertaken to widen the scope of study.