Avian trichomoniasis: a study of lesions and relative prevalence in a variety of captive and free‐living bird species as seen in an Australian avian practice

Background  Studies of avian trichomoniasis in the literature are limited to some extent, often being confined to a single bird species or group of species within a bird Order. Some incidence studies have been reported for free-living birds, and occasionally for captive birds. Very few reports describe the prevalence and types of lesions seen for a wide range of bird species, especially from a clinical perspective. Methods  Retrospective study of avian practice records from a 10-year period. Emphasis on the types of presentations and relative prevalence of trichomoniasis in a variety of captive and free-living bird species encountered in Australian avian practice. Results  The occurrence of trichomoniasis in several novel species (lorikeets, corvids and a cuckoo species), plus its distinctive presentation in southern boobook owls (Ninox boobook), is documented. Conclusion  Trichomoniasis should be a differential diagnosis for birds presenting with regurgitation or upper gastrointestinal abscesses, even if motile trichomonads are not found in wet preparations from crop washes or lesions.