The health, growth and fertility of avian species can be negatively affected by parasite infection. This survey assesses the presence, variety and distribution of internal and external parasites among parrots and perching birds in Mashhad, Iran. This study examined 751 caged pet birds from different species and regions in Mashhad for faecal samples and 132 oral swabs for digestive tract parasites. Furthermore, skin scrapings were conducted on 14 canaries displaying dishevelled feathers. During the study, mortalities and moribund birds that had been referred underwent necropsies to examine internal parasites. Following the formol ether faecal examination, only one Malango parrot tested positive for Heterakoidea eggs among 751 faecal samples (0.13%). Further, one cockatiel showed evidence of parasitic infection with Eimeria spp. (0.13%). However, neither Cryptosporidium nor Giardia protozoa were detected in the samples (0%). Oral swabs revealed no evidence of Trichomonas (0%). On the other hand, skin scraping revealed the presence of the mite Dermanyssus in 7 out of 14 canaries with dishevelled feathers (50%). Of 25 moribund and weak budgerigars, 2 were infected with Acuaria in their proventriculus (8%). In addition, 3 out of 14 deceased myna birds carried the nematode Diplotriana in their coelomic cavities (21.42%). In conclusion, the rate of internal parasites has been relatively low in ornamental birds of Mashhad, whereas the prevalence of external parasites has been higher.
Keywords: Iran; Mashhad; Passeriformes; Psittaciformes; external parasite; helminths; protozoa.
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