Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Domestic Pigeons Columba Livia Domestica in Funtua Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

The prevalence of helminthes infections in domestic pigeons ( Columba livia domestica ) in Funtua was carried out to determine species composition, prevalence and possible association between host sex. Sixty pigeons comprising 30 males and 30 females were collected for a period 3 months. Two methods were used for the examination of helminthes parasites, floatation method and intestinal scrapping method. A total infection of 81.6% was recorded consisting of the following nematodes and cestodes; Ascaridia columbae 14 pigeons (23.3%), Heterakis gallinarum 8 pigeons (13.3%), Ascaridia galli 4 pigeons (6.67%), Raillietina tetragona 11 pigeons (18.33%), Raillietina echinobothrida 6 pigeons (10%) and Hymenolepis carioca 29 pigeons infected (48.33%). There was no significant difference in infection rates between the sexes (p>O.O5). The result obtained showed that helminth parasite is more distributed in the small intestine of birds. It is concluded that Cestodes are more prevalent than Nematodes in domestic pigeons in Funtua area. Keywords: Helminth Parasites, Domestic Pigeons, Funtua LGA