Rafidain Journal of Science

Abstract

Many parasite species may damage domestic pigeons, which are from the most essential birds for human populations in every corner of the world. Ectoparasites can be found in almost every bird. Birds can be impacted by a number of health problems, but parasitic illnesses play a crucial role influence. They are a significant source of disease infection and transmission. Although domestic pigeon lice are not known to spread any avian infections, they are hazardous to young birds in particular and typically accompany poor poultry health that is due to other factors. where a lot of lice could keep you up at night. They consume their bodily fluids, such as blood, and feathers. Since lice have a chewing mouthpart and feed on dry skin scales, scab tissues, and feather parts in addition to irritating the host's skin and sucking blood, the effects of louse parasitism on birds are frequently severe and include stunted growth and susceptibility to other infections. From October 2017 to July 2018, 200 domestic pigeons were checked for pigeons chewing lice. Three urban locations were chosen at random for each of the three main governorates in the study area—Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. Hands were picked clean of lice; Samples were kept in 96 percent ethanol-filled tubes before being examined and identified under a dissecting microscope. In the current study, 48% (96/200) of domestic pigeons were infected with one or more lice and three species of lice were recorded and identified by morphological characteristics: Companulatus compare, Columbicola columbae, and Hohorostilla lata.