This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of ectoparasites and haemoparasites in Black-crowned waxbill (Estrilda nonnula) in the town of Dschang and its environs. From June 2011 to March 2012, 52 birds were captured by various techniques (sticky surface, traditional trap and nest capture) at three sites. Examination of feathers showed that 65.4% of these birds carried at least one genus of ectoparasites. A total of five genera were detected with a prevalence and average intensities of (53.8% and 1.6 ± 0.9) for Menopon sp, (46.2% and 4.5 ± 2.3) for Columbicola sp, (23.1% and 1.9 ± 1.3) for Liperus sp, (13.5% and 1.0 ± 0.0) for Menacanthus sp and (11.5% and 1.7 ± 0.5) for Goniocotes sp. Microscopic examination of thin blood smears revealed that 10 (19.2%) of the sampled birds were infected with at least one genus of haemoparasites with a prevalence of 15.4% for Plasmodium sp and/or Haemoproteus sp and 7.7% for Leucocytozoon sp. Capture sites did not influence the parasitic load. Rainy season favoured infestation with ectoparasites. Males were more infested with ectoparasites than females but not for haemoparasites. Prevalence of haemoparasites varied significantly with age and weight groups. Close interactions of Black-crowned waxbills with humans can constitute health risks given the presence of parasites observed.
Key words: Haemoparasites, ectoparasites, prevalence, average intensities, Black-crowned waxbill.
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