Mortalities in a flock of canaries ( Serinus canaria ) with respiratory acariasis, pododermatitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus , and macrorhabdosis were investigated by postmortem examination. After a thorough parasitologic study, the tracheal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus morofskyi. Cleaning and disinfection of cages and perches, ivermectin application on the cervical skin of individual birds, enrofloxacin medication, and drinking water acidification with vinegar were used to control mortality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of Ptilonyssus species in captive passerine birds.
Keywords: Ptilonyssus morofskyi; Serinus canaria; avian; canary; macrorhabdosis; pododermatitis; tracheal mite.