Parasites and associated packed cell volume changes of captive wild birds in the semi-arid region of north-eastern Nigeria

The prevalence of parasites and associated packed cell volume (PCV) changes were investigated in captive wild birds maintained in the semi-arid region of north-eastern Nigeria. The results revealed that out of the 126 captive wild birds examined during the period, 98 (77.8%) were infected with at least one parasite species. Arthropod parasites were encountered in 63 (34.1%) birds and the parasites recovered were Echidnophaga gallinacea (27.0%), Argas persicus (18.2%) and Ctnemidocoptes mutans (4.8%). The parasites generally occurred in low numbers. Haemoparasites were recorded in 42 (33.3%) birds and these included Plasmodium (15.9%), Haemoproteus (9.5%) and Leucocytozoon (7.9%) species. The percentage parasitization of the erythrocyte with haemoparasites was generally high (40-90%) and the infected birds had significantly (