Study area
This study was carried out in Sabon-Gari and Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. The
species of birds used for the study were Laughing doves
(Spilolepia senegalensis ) (LD), Speckled pigeons (Columba
guinea ) (SP), Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis ) (CE), Senegalese
parrot (Poicephalus senegalus ) (SPR), Mallard (Anas
platyrhynchos ) and Geese (Anser anserini ). Some of the birds
were captured alive around poultry houses using wooden traps, while some
were purchased from live bird markets (LBMs). The birds were identified
by an ornithologist using coloured atlas in the Department of Zoology,
Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Thereafter,
physical examination was conducted on each bird to be sure there were no
lesions, external wounds or ectoparasites before it was used for this
study.