Seventy-one (71) each of Streptopelia senegalensis and Columba livia
domestica were collected from the wild and the market, and examined
for ectoparasites. The result showed that 7(9.86%) S. senegalensis and
43(60.56%) C. livia domestica were infested with ectoparasites.
Streptopelia senegalensis was infested by two species, Goniodes species
(7.04%) and Columbicola columbae (2.82%) while C. livia domestica
was infested by three species, Goniodes sp. (25.35%), Columbicola
columbae (19.72%) and Pseudolynchia canariensis (11.27%).
Streptopelia senegalensis had ectoparasite prevalence of 5.63% and
4.23% in the wet and dry seasons, respectively while C. livia domestica
had prevalence of 29.58% and 30.99% in the wet and dry seasons,
respectively. Males of S. senegalensis and C. livia domestica had
respective ectoparasite prevalence of 7.32% and 22.54%, while the
females had prevalences of 13.33% and 38.04%, respectively. The
weight of the birds did not appear to influence parasite prevalence in
either the wet or the dry season. The prevalences of parasite infestation
of C. livia domestica were significantly higher than those of S.
senegalensis p<0.05. The market or home cages of the domestic pigeons
should be cleaned routinely to minimize reinfestation by ectoparasites.