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Organisms facing anthropogenic activities usually exhibit phenotypic responses assumed to enhance coping with disturbance. These responses include a decreasing degree of reaction toward potentially risky situations (“behavioral tolerance”) with increasing disturbance. Though melanin is associated with many phenotypic traits, including pigmentation and behavior, the potential relationship between behavioral tolerance and melanin has never been explored. Such relationship may potentially result from either direct association between melanin and behavior (e.g., genetic correlation) or indirectly through a coloration‐dependent behavior‐modulating factor (e.g., differential predation or human preferences in cities toward color morphs). Feral pigeons (Columba livia) represent an ideal biological system to test for these hypotheses, due to their presence in cities worldwide, their considerable variation in eumelanin‐based coloration, ranging from white to black plumage, and their close proximity to humans. We measured Flight Initiation Distance (FID, classically used for behavioral tolerance assessment) of feral pigeons of 4 different eumelanin‐based color morphs in sites differing in their urbanization rate and pedestrian traffic within the restricted scale of a city center (Paris). Urbanization rate and pedestrian traffic had no effect on FID, maybe because of the small spatial scale considered. FID varied with eumelanin‐based coloration: white pigeons had lower FID (104.6 cm; i.e., higher behavioral tolerance) than darker morphs (232.3 cm for Blue bar, 184.4 cm for T‐pattern & Checker, and 181.8 cm for Spread color morphs). Though the exact underlying causes remain to be identified, we propose different possible mechanisms for this relationship that remain to be investigated in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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La criptococosis, micosis oportunista causada por una levadura capsulada: Cryptococcus neoformans, la cual, taxonómicamente, está clasificada dentro del reino fungi, phylum Basidiomycota, familia Filobasidiella. El microorganismo fue aislado de heces y nidos de palomas Columba livia. Las excretas de estas especies constituyen el hábitat ideal para el microorganismo debido a que contienen las sustancias orgánicas necesarias para la viabilidad y crecimiento del hongo. El Hospital Nacional Rosales (HNR), principal nosocomio de San Salvador y del país, posee una numerosa población de palomas. La investigación se planteó por objetivo: comprobar la existencia de Cryptococcus neoformans en heces de palomas que habitan dentro de las instalaciones del HNR. Método: se realizaron cultivos a partir de excretas de palomas provenientes del suelo y restos de nidos que se encontraron en las instalaciones; se realizó la siembra en agar semilla de girasol y a partir del crecimiento, se hicieron preparaciones al fresco y prueba de ureasa, para su identificación. Los resultados muestran la presencia de Cryptococcus neoformans en las instalaciones del HNR, y además se concluye que, independientemente de la procedencia de las muestras ambientales, existe igual posibilidad de recuperar el hongo aunque se trate de excretas secas o frescas (húmedas), lo que constituye un factor de riesgo de infección para los pacientes hospitalizados inmunosuprimidos y población en general que trabaja o visita el nosocomio. Si a la condición de inmunosupresión, ya sea por enfermedad o iatrogénica, se suma la inhalación de esporas del hongo, se constituye en un problema de salud pública por resolver.

Copyright of Bulletin of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Bioscience Series is the property of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During collective vigilance, it is commonly assumed that individual animals compromise their feeding time to be vigilant against predators, benefiting the entire group. One notable issue with this assumption concerns the unclear nature of predator ‘detection’, particularly in terms of vision. It remains uncertain how a vigilant individual utilizes its high-acuity vision (such as the fovea) to detect a predator cue and subsequently guide individual and collective escape responses. Using fine-scale motion-capture technologies, we tracked the head and body orientations of pigeons (hence reconstructed their visual fields and foveal projections) foraging in a flock during simulated predator attacks. Pigeons used their fovea to inspect predator cues. Earlier foveation on a predator cue was linked to preceding behaviors related to vigilance and feeding, such as head-up or down positions, head-scanning, and food-pecking. Moreover, earlier foveation predicted earlier evasion flights at both the individual and collective levels. However, we also found that relatively long delay between their foveation and escape responses in individuals obscured the relationship between these two responses. While our results largely support the existing assumptions about vigilance, they also underscore the importance of considering vision and addressing the disparity between detection and escape responses in future research.

This study assesses heavy metal pollution in Zanjan's Zinc Industrial Town by analyzing cadmium, zinc, and lead in feathers from 200 pigeons (80 males and 80 females, both living and deceased) and 40 control samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results revealed significantly higher concentrations of these metals in pigeons from the industrial area compared to controls. Specifically, cadmium levels reached 1.927 μgg−1 in deceased female pigeons, compared to 0.729 μgg−1 in the control group. Lead concentrations were 17.455 μgg−1 in the feathers of deceased pigeons, compared to 2.895 μgg−1 in controls. Zinc levels in deceased female pigeons were as high as 378.75 μgg−1, compared to 61.995 μgg−1 in controls. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant correlation between metal accumulation and the gender of the pigeons, underscoring the impact of industrial pollution on local wildlife. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of using pigeon feathers as bioindicators for monitoring environmental pollution.

Pigeons and doves (family Columbidae) are one of the most diverse extant avian lineages, and many species have served as key models for evolutionary genomics, developmental biology, physiology, and behavioral studies. Building genomic resources for columbids is essential to further many of these studies. Here, we present high-quality genome assemblies and annotations for 2 columbid species, Columba livia and Columba guinea. We simultaneously assembled C. livia and C. guinea genomes from long-read sequencing of a single F1 hybrid individual. The new C. livia genome assembly (Cliv_3) shows improved completeness and contiguity relative to Cliv_2.1, with an annotation incorporating long-read IsoSeq data for more accurate gene models. Intensive selective breeding of C. livia has given rise to hundreds of breeds with diverse morphological and behavioral characteristics, and Cliv_3 offers improved tools for mapping the genomic architecture of interesting traits. The C. guinea genome assembly is the first for this species and is a new resource for avian comparative genomics. Together, these assemblies and annotations provide improved resources for functional studies of columbids and avian comparative genomics in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human and veterinary pathogen. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among S. aureus isolated from samples obtained from free-flying wild pigeons and houseflies from different locations surrounding a local hospital in the Greater Durban area in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Environmental fecal samples were obtained from wild pigeons that inhabits the grounds of a local public hospital located on the South Beach area, Durban, South Africa. Housefly samples were collected from three different locations (Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, Montclair/Clairwood, and Glenwood/Berea) in the greater Durban area, all within a close proximity to the hospital. Following enrichment, identification, and antimicrobial resistance profiling, S. aureus isolates were subjected to DNA extraction using the boiling method. It was found that 57 out of 252 samples (22.62%) were positive for S. aureus. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method of antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed and revealed that antibiotic resistance rates to penicillin and rifampicin were the most common, with both returning 48 (84.2%) out of the 57 S. aureus isolates being resistant to penicillin and rifampicin. Antibiotic resistance rates to clindamycin, linezolid, erythromycin, tetracycline, cefoxitin, and ciprofloxacin were 82.5%, 78.9%, 73.7%, 63.2%, 33.3%, and 15.8% respectively. Antibiotic resistance genes were detected using primer-specific PCR and it was found that the prevalence rates of tetM, aac(6′)–aph(2″), mecA, tetK, ermc, and blaZ genes were 66.7%, 40.4%, 40.4%, 38.6%, 24.6%, and 3.51% respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant (p

Pigeons are a cosmopolitan group of birds with abundant and large populations associated with human activities. This study focused on determining parasitic infections within domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Forty-eight pigeons were examined for infections, of which 29.16% were infected with a nematode parasite, identified as Hadjelia truncata (Habronematidae), under the koilin layer of their gizzards. The population of nematodes in infected gizzards did not exceed 20 adult worms. DNA from the gizzard worms was extracted and subjected to PCR using primers that amplify the partial 18S rDNA and cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COX I) regions. Identification of this parasite based on microscopic study revealed the presence of trilobed lips with cephalic papillae and amphidial pores, as well as other characteristic features. In males, spicules were unequal with the presence of six pedunculated pairs of caudal papillae (4 pre- and 2 post-anal) and a tail surrounded with caudal ala. In females, the vulva was a rounded aperture located in front of the posterior end of the esophagus and uteri, which was filled with numerous embryonated eggs. DNA Sequences from partial 18S rDNA were homologous to sequences obtained from H. truncata in GenBank with a high percentage of identity. DNA sequences from mitochondrial gene COX I, however, were unique, and they were the first sequenced for H. truncata, since no sequences for this taxon were previously available in GenBank. Histopathological examination revealed enlargement of infected gizzards in comparison to non-infected ones, with the presence of necrosis and interstitial infiltration in the koilin layer. Concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Co) were measured using inductivity-coupled plasma in tissues (liver, muscles, and gizzards) from infected and non-infected pigeons as well as their parasites. Results showed different affinities of metals to tissues. Recovered parasites can minimize element concentration from their pigeon tissues. In Saudi Arabia, this study was considered the first report identifying pigeon nematodes and evaluating of the effects of their pathogenicity on the animals’ welfare, as well as their application as a useful tool for monitoring environmental pollution.

The Castile pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789), native to Africa and Eurasia, is widely distributed in most of Europe, western Asia, Africa and America. Columba livia was introduced to Peru by the Spanish in the 16th century. It lives in urban and rural areas; in recent decades its population has grown exponentially around the world; it is considered to be a commensal species of the human being and in some cases in the cities it colonizes, it causes damage to the infrastructure and constitutes a risk to public health. Although its origin is wild, it behaves as one of the species with the greatest interaction with humans. The increase in its population in cities has turned it into a pest species. This review describes the current state of knowledge of Columba livia populations, its possible effects on the health of the human population, public ornamentation and the analysis of its status as an invasive exotic species, five centuries after its introduction into the Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domestic pigeon's exceptional phenotypic diversity was key in developing Darwin's Theory of Evolution and establishing the concept of artificial selection. However, unlike its domestic counterpart, its wild progenitor, the rock dove Columba livia has received considerably less attention. Therefore, questions regarding its domestication, evolution, taxonomy, and conservation status remain unresolved. We generated whole-genome sequencing data from 65 historical rock doves that represent all currently recognized subspecies and span the species' original geographic distribution. Our dataset includes 3 specimens from Darwin's collection, and the type specimens of 5 different taxa. We characterized their population structure, genomic diversity, and gene-flow patterns. Our results show the West African subspecies C. l. gymnocyclus is basal to rock doves and domestic pigeons, and suggests gene-flow between the rock dove's sister species C. rupestris , and the ancestor of rock doves after its split from West African populations. These genomes allowed us to propose a model for the evolution of the rock dove in light of the refugia theory. We propose that rock dove genetic diversity and introgression patterns derive from a history of allopatric cycles and dispersion waves during the Quaternary glacial and interglacial periods. To explore the rock dove domestication history, we combined our new dataset with available genomes from domestic pigeons. Our results point to at least 1 domestication event in the Levant that gave rise to all domestic breeds analysed in this study. Finally, we propose a species-level taxonomic arrangement to reflect the evolutionary history of the West African rock dove populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Applied Veterinary Science & Technology is the property of Universitas Airlangga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Birds are intermediate hosts and important reservoirs that play a significant role in Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) epidemiology and infection transfer to humans by eating their raw or undercooked meat. The aim of this study is to diagnose the Toxoplasma gondii infection in three species of wild birds (Columba livia, Streptopelia senegalensis and Passer domesticus) in the province of Babylon from May 2021 to August 2021, using a latex agglutination test and molecular diagnosis with nested PCR for SAG1 gene identification. Results showed that antibodies were detected in 56/144 (38.88%) samples. Furthermore, results of the nested PCR technique for detection of SAG1 gene revealed that 41 (73.21%) of the samples positive for the latex agglutination test were only found in three species of birds. These three species of birds were found infected with T. gondii with possible transmission to human beings. For the first time, a S. senegalensis, was infected with the T. gondii in Iraq.

The metal contaminants can be utilized as an ecological tool to analyze niche partition in birds. As environmental contamination biological indicators, essential (Zn, Cu, and Cr) and non-essential (Pb and Cd) metals in the flight feathers of the Maroon-fronted Parrot and Pigeon with different ecological niches were assessed. The feathers of the parrot were gathered at a national park (Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey) and the feathers of pigeons were collected at an urban site, that is, the city of Monterrey, Mexico. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to establish the concentration of metals in the feathers. Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Cd were detected in the two studied samples. The results obtained in this study exhibited an increase in metal concentrations in pigeon feathers with respect to parrot feathers. In conclusion, employing parrot and pigeon feathers comprises an important tool to track trace-metal occurrence in the environment and metal accumulation in birds. This information is crucial to possess in order to minimize exposure to essential metals in species of wild birds with different ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Columbid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CoHV1) is associated with oral or upper respiratory tract lesions, encephalitis, and occasional fatal systemic disease in naive or immunosuppressed pigeons. Clinical disease is often reported with CoHV1 and coinfecting viruses, including pigeon circovirus (PiCV), which may cause host immunosuppression and augment lesion development. A natural outbreak of CoHV1 and PiCV coinfection occurred in a flock of 60 racing rock pigeons (Columba livia), in which 4 pigeons succumbed within 7 d of clinical onset. Lesions included suppurative stomatitis, pharyngitis, cloacitis, meningitis, and tympanitis, with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies consistent with herpesviral infection. In addition, large numbers of botryoid intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were present in the skin, oral mucosa, and bursa of Fabricius, suggestive of circoviral infection, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The concurrent viral load of CoHV1 and PiCV was high in liver, oropharynx, and bursa of Fabricius. We found PiCV in oro-cloacal swabs from 44 of 46 additional birds of variable clinical status, PiCV alone in 23 birds, and coinfection with CoHV1 in 21 birds. Viral copy numbers were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) for both viruses in clinically affected pigeons than in subclinical qPCR-positive birds. The CoHV1-induced lesions might have been exacerbated by concomitant PiCV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With their food and shelter seeking habits, pigeons are often found in places where humans are present. However, these shared spaces can host public health risks for the transmission of zoonoses. Therefore, we sought to explore the existing relationship between the presence of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) and self-perceived respiratory and skin morbidity in individuals in a neighborhood of Bogotá, Colombia. We conducted a cross-sectional neighborhood survey from February to May, 2014. Random and probabilistic sampling based on a list of dwellings was conducted. All of the dwellings in the neighborhood, as well as all the inhabitants at home during the survey, were included. A univariate and bivariate descriptive analysis was carried out, to establish statistical relationships based on use of the chi-square test and prevalence ratios. Also, a negative binomial regression model was used to determine the relationship between some pigeon exposures and the number of self-perceived symptoms. Respiratory and skin self-perceived symptoms were surveyed, along with the conditions in the dwellings and the presence of pigeons and their droppings. Altogether, 27.4% of those surveyed reported pigeon droppings within their dwellings or outside of them, and 33.1% stated they had experienced contact with pigeon droppings. The presence of sick pigeons around the houses was associated with self-reported headaches, rhinorrhoea and sneezing. Similarly, droppings inside dwellings were associated with a range of self-reported symptoms, such as fever, dry cough and sneezing. The self-perception of respiratory and skin symptoms, and their association with the presence of pigeons may indicate that zoonotic transmission of pathogens has occurred in the respondents, despite the limitations of the study. Contact with domestic Columba livia pigeons or their droppings has previously been identified as a transmission route for zoonotic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondrosarcoma, a type of malignant neoplasm that producing fibrillary matrix and hyalin cartilage, is described in many species, but it is little known in synanthropic birds. This manuscript discusses a clinical case of a male domestic pigeon (Columba livia) of free-living in Bogota, Colombia, rescued in Phase II of the Alas District Project (Agreement 296 of 2019) and referred to the Centro de Atención de Palomas (CAP - Pigeon Care Center), with a tumor injury in one of its wings, whose diagnosis was of extraskeletal chondrosarcoma. Cancer in animals occurs by the convergence of multiple internal and external factors, among which human pressure on the environment could be modify oncogenic mechanisms in different species. This report makes a new and important contribution to the knowledge of avian health, comparing the diagnosis with other cases, and raising hypothesis on possible causes such as pollution and diet. Also it proposes working under the One Health approach, to identify other predisposing, epidemiological and environmental factors, in order to preserve global health and assest whether pigeons would be sanitary quality sentinels in urban areas of Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• C. psittaci was detected in pigeons and environmental samples in a hospital area • Pigeon cloacal swabs, pigeon droppings and nest material were C. psittaci -positive • Phylogenetic analysis confirmed obtained sequences as C. psittaci genotype B • Specific mitigation strategies at critical points in hospital areas are pivotal Pigeons are associated with zoonotic pathogens such as Chlamydia psittaci , the main causative agent of avian chlamydiosis, and related to psittacosis cases in humans worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of C. psittaci in feral pigeons (Columba livia) and environmental samples from places frequented by pigeons in a Brazilian hospital area. A cross-sectional study was carried out sampling feral pigeons, their droppings and nest material in a hospital area. Squares in a nearby region with a high density of pigeons were also sampled. Pigeon cloacal swabs (n=123) were collected from each bird, as well as pigeon droppings from the environment (n=77) and material from pigeon's nests (n=28). Chlamydiaceae -PCR targeting the 23S rRNA gene was used as screening. Positive samples were submitted to another PCR targeting the omp A gene of C. psittaci , followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. C. psittaci was detected in 7.5% (17/228) of the samples, 7.3% (12/164) from the hospital area and 7.8% (5/64) from the squares. By sample type, 9.8% (12/123) of the pigeon cloacal swabs, 5.2% of droppings (4/77) and 3.6% of nest material (1/28) were positive for C. psittaci. All sequenced samples corresponded to C. psittaci genotype B. These results demonstrate the occurrence of C. psittaci in urban areas, with emphasis on a hospital area where immunocompromised individuals are present. Adopting a One health approach to prevent the proliferation of the pigeons, health education campaigns and specific recommendations for the hospital administration are essential. Guidance on practices such as not feeding the pigeons, avoiding contact or proximity and removing available areas for roosting and nesting, are measures that will reduce environmental contamination and risk of human exposure to C. psittaci. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Pacific Coast band‐tailed pigeon's (Patagioenas fasciata monilis) conspicuous and well documented use of supplemental minerals has allowed wildlife managers to conduct counts of pigeons at sites with minerals to index their abundance; but despite at least 9 associated peer‐reviewed research publications since 1998, the reason that band‐tailed pigeons use mineral sites and necessity of that use remains unknown. I conducted feeding trials with pigeons during summers of 2009 and 2010 to evaluate maintenance and reproductive performance associated with access to supplemental minerals: one with 24 pairs of wild‐caught band‐tailed pigeons, and one with 30 pairs of wild‐caught rock pigeons (Columba livia). Data indicate that red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. arborescens) and cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) berries (natural food items) are high energy food sources for band‐tailed pigeons, and that band‐tailed pigeons can thrive on these berries without access to supplemental sodium and calcium. However, access to supplemental sodium could offer band‐tailed pigeons advantages in body weight maintenance or gain when consuming a diet low in sodium and high in potassium. Band‐tailed pigeons did not nest in this study; thus, it remains unknown if there are benefits to reproductive performance from access to supplemental minerals. Rock pigeons with access to supplemental sodium fledged ≥33% more young than those pigeons without access to supplemental sodium, and this was primarily associated with the increased number of clutches and increased fledging rate. Also, fledgling mass was greater (x̅ ± SE = 35.5 ± 7.9 g, 95% CI = 19.3–51.8) for rock pigeons with access to supplemental sodium at fledging in 2010, but the difference was not statistically significant in 2009 (5.9 ± 22.9, 95% CI = − 43.2–55.0) possibly because of the nutritionally limited diet that year. Access to supplemental sodium could offer band‐tailed pigeons advantages in fecundity and hatchling survival rates (recruitment) through increased efficiency in food conversion. Natural mineral sites used by band‐tailed pigeons should be conserved until additional information is available for evaluation. Also, comparison of counts of band‐tailed pigeons at mineral sites over time and among sites must be interpreted cautiously until the factors (e.g., diet, weather, accessibility, supplemental mineral concentration, etc.) that influence the proportion of the local band‐tailed pigeon population that uses mineral sites can be determined.

Pigeon farming for meat has developed into an important economic industry in most countries, especially in China. Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae, is a worldwide disease in pigeons. However, studies of the prevalence and distribution of T. gallinae lineages in domestic pigeons in southern China are limited. In this study, a total of 636 pigeon throat swabs samples from four regions in Guangdong Province were screened for T. gallinae by in vitro culture assays and microscopy. The results revealed an overall prevalence of T. gallinae infection in southern China of 26.6% (169/636). There were significant differences in the infection rate of T. gallinae between the four regions (χ2 = 117.948, df = 4, P = 0.000), with up to 44.6% in the Pearl River Delta region. The infection rate of young pigeons was as high as 70.8%. The rDNA sequences (18S rRNA/ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) of 153 positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Results identified 58.2% (89/153) overall as ITS-A (18S-VI) (also known as ITS-OBT-Tg-1) and 41.8% (64/153) as ITS-B (18S-IV) (also known as ITS-OBT-Tg-2). Thus, ITS-A (18S-VI) was the dominant T. gallinae genotype in southern China, especially in young pigeon (97.0%, 32/33). In conclusion, a high prevalence of T. gallinae infection in domestic pigeons was identified in southern China, particularly in the Pearl River Delta region. The ITS-A (18S-VI) was the dominant genotype highly pathogenic, which may weaken the immune system of pigeons, and cause a negative impact on the development of the pigeon industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Ecological functions and processes in urban ecosystems are governed by various human activities. City-adapted and city-exploiting animal species are expected to present certain specific behavioral and physiological traits in comparison to city-avoiders or conspecific individual frequenting less urbanized or rural environments. A trait of high importance, the plumage color polymorphism has been selected as the main study model and was correlated with different morphological and physiological parameters to highlight its importance in determining the possible health status of urban Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) in North African urban habitats. Methods Different body morphometrics, hematological and hemoparasitic parameters were quantified on free-living Feral Pigeons in urban environments of northern Algeria. Moreover, plumage melanin-based coloration (MBC) was measured and the data collected at the individual scale was correlated with the previous parameters using linear and non-linear modeling approaches. Results Plumage MBC scores of the sampled Feral Pigeons ranged between 0.3% and 74.8%. Among the 12 morphological traits measured, body weight, tail length and total length were deemed to be positively correlated with MBC. Darker morphs appeared to have more hemoparasites compared to lighter pigeons. Quite the same observation goes with the immunity but with non-linear trends. The number of monocytes and granulocytes increased with the increase in MBC levels in lighter morphs, while pigeons with high MBC scores exhibited negative relationships between MBC levels and the number of white blood cells. Conclusions Despite the existence of a number of studies demonstrating phenotypic directional selection, further studies are undoubtedly necessary to understand in detail the underlying mechanisms in species life-history strategies between differently colored individuals. Findings of this correlative study open exciting perspectives revealing that MBC can be considered a good indicator of and health status and adaptation strategies to changes in urban environments.

The NT-3 protein plays an important role in the development and differentiation of neurons, and is unique in the neurotropin family, that it can bind to 3 Trk receptors, namely TrkC, TrkA and TrkB. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and three-dimensional structure of NT-3 protein in Columba livia. The target protein was obtained from Uniprot server with the access code of PKK30025.1 using template 3buk.1A (PDB-ID) analyzed in-silico through homology method using SWISS-MODEL server. The results showed that the three-dimensional structure of the target NT-3 protein with a template formed a β-sheet and loop structure, which was composed of 304 amino acids, with the highest amino acid composition was serine at 8.88 mol polar, and the lowest amino acid was tryptophan at 1.32. moles which was relatively nonpolar. The analysis results of the structural quality revealed an identity value of 98.20%, QMEAN of 0.8, QMQE of 0.25, and the analysis on the Ramachandran plot presented an outlier value of 0.92%; the most favored region value was 94.5%, with good structural quality. The results of the 3-dimensional structure of the NT-3 Columba livia protein are expected to be useful for further research to determine the active side and interactions of proteins in carrying out their functions.

Animals defend themselves against parasites in many ways. Defenses, such as physiological immune responses, are capable of clearing some infections. External parasites that do not feed on blood, however, are not controlled by the physiological immune system. Instead, ectoparasites like feather-feeding lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) are primarily controlled by behavioral defenses such as preening. Here we test the hypothesis that birds able to preen are capable of clearing infestations of feather lice. We experimentally manipulated preening ability in a captive population of rock pigeons (Columba livia) that were infested with identical numbers of feather lice (Columbicola columbae or Campanulotes compar or both). We then monitored the feather louse infestations for 42 wk. Birds with impaired preening remained infested throughout the experiment; in contrast, the prevalence of lice on birds that could preen normally decreased by 50%. These data indicate that it is indeed possible for birds to clear themselves of feather lice, and perhaps other ectoparasites, by preening. We note, however, that captive birds spend more time preening than wild birds, and that they are less likely to be reinfested than wild birds. Thus, additional studies are necessary to determine under what circumstances wild birds can clear themselves of ectoparasites by preening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaesthetic agents and doses used can significantly impact cerebrocortical responsiveness as assessed by electroencephalography (EEG). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different halothane concentrations on the EEG of Rock Doves using measures of frequency distribution and burst suppression. Eight healthy Rock Doves (Columba livia) were anaesthetized with halothane in oxygen, their tracheas intubated and their lungs mechanically ventilated. Five minutes of EEG were recorded at three multiples of minimum anaesthetic concentration (MAC), 1× MAC (1.6%), 1.5× MAC (2.4%) and 2× MAC (3.2%), presented in ascending then descending order. Fast Fourier transformation of the raw EEG record gave the median frequency (F50), spectral edge frequency (F95) and the total power (Ptot). Burst suppression, expressed as inactive compared to active EEG (%), was calculated on a representative two-minute section of the raw EEG. Data were analysed using repeated-measures one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc correction for comparison of 1×, 1.5× and 2× MAC. Three of eight birds demonstrated negligible (F50, p = 0.04; F95p = 0.02; Ptotp < 0.0001) occurred between 1× and 2× MAC. Halothane anaesthesia at MAC multiples of 1×, 1.5× and 2× in the Rock Dove can be considered suitable where cortical responsiveness is desired.

The emergence and spread of β-lactams and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in birds deserve a special concern worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the presence of β-lactams and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from the faeces of urban and rural pigeons in Batna, Algeria, and to characterise their molecular traits of resistance. Between March and April 2019, a total of 276 faecal droppings samples were collected in Batna, Algeria. Samples were subjected to selective isolation of β-lactams and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli. The representative colonies were then identified using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method. β-lactamases, as well as mcr genes, were screened for by PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Genetic relatedness of the mcr-positive E. coli strains was determined using multi-locus sequence typing analysis. Transferability features of carbapenemase genes were assessed by conjugation experiments. Overall, thirty-five E. coli isolates were obtained only from urban pigeon samples. All carbapenem-resistant isolates harboured the blaOXA-48 gene as the only carbapenemase gene detected (n = 11), while blaESBL genes were detected in eighteen isolates. Out of the thirty-five isolates, four E. coli isolates were positive for the mcr-1 gene. The obtained mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates belonged to four STs, including ST1485, ST224, ST46, and a new ST. This study is the first to report the isolation of E. coli strains carrying the mcr-1 gene from pigeon faeces in Algeria and also the first to report the detection of blaOXA-48-positive E. coli in pigeons. Close surveillance is, therefore, urgently needed to monitor the dissemination of blaOXA-48 and mcr-1 producing E. coli strains in wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Urbanization may restrict, facilitate, or have no effect on gene flow, depending on the organism and extent of urbanization. In human commensals, with high dispersal ability, urbanization can facilitate gene flow by providing continuous suitable habitat across a wide range. Additionally, suburban or rural areas with lower human population density may act as a barrier to gene flow for these human commensals. Spatial population genetic approaches provide a means to understand genetic connectivity across geographically expansive areas that encompass multiple metropolitan areas. Here, we examined the spatial genetic patterns of feral pigeons (Columba livia) living in cities in the eastern United States. We focused our sampling on the Northeastern megacity, which is a region covering six large cities (Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC). We performed ddRAD‐Seqon 473 samples, recovered 35,200 SNPs, and then used multiple evolutionary clustering analyses to investigate population structuring. These analyses revealed that pigeons formed two genetic clusters—a northern cluster containing samples from Boston and Providence and a southern cluster containing all other samples. This substructuring is possibly due to reduced urbanization across coastal Connecticut that separates Boston and Providence from New York and mid‐Atlantic cities. We found that pairs of pigeons within 25 km are highly related (Mantel r = 0.217, p = .001) and that beyond 50 km, pigeons are no more related than they would be at random. Our analysis detected higher‐than‐expected gene flow under an isolation by distance model within each city. We conclude that the extreme urbanization characteristic of the Northeastern megacity is likely facilitating gene flow in feral pigeons.

The purpose of this study was to gather information on the feral pigeon population living in the central business district (CBD) of Butte, MT. Pigeons in the CBD have historically been part of the urban landscape and have contributed to local biodiversity. We report on an aspect of a larger study that was initiated to address complaints from business owners concerning damage caused by pigeons. To better understand feral pigeon population dynamics, we used live trapping, marking with leg bands, and survey transects to study the pigeons’ distribution, habitat selection, and dispersal. Our results thus far indicate minimal dispersal between colonies. Two individuals have shown dispersal movements of up to 6.1 km from the tagging site. Transect surveys revealed an average of 173.3 birds present, with a maximum count of 254 and minimum of 101.

In a joint program, Innolytics and the USDA National Wildlife Research Center collaborated in the development of nicarbazin as an avian contraceptive, initially for resident Canada geese and subsequently for feral pigeons. Unfortunately, the introduction of the original goose product, OvoControl G, in 2005, was a commercial failure. Political and social barriers as well as goose reproductive biology effectively thwarted attempts to establish the new technology with any meaningful market success. The introduction of the pigeon contraceptive has been less difficult and the new technology continues to gather momentum. Nevertheless, given the focus on instant results and gratification, contraceptive technology for birds – which works over time – continues to be challenging, and broad market acceptance remains elusive. Especially for short-lived and rapidly reproducing species, however, the market continues to replace outdated or ineffective techniques with the safer and more effective contraceptive tools.

This article focuses on identifying risk factors through the knowledge, perceptions, and prevention practices of the population regarding the rock pigeon and the vector of Chagas disease (vinchucas) in an urban area of Argentina. The study used interviews of focal groups, family nuclei with nearby nesting sites and without nearby nesting sites. Among the results, presence of risk factors that contribute to the infestation of vinchucas in houses were identified, such as presence nesting sites of the rock pigeon, and frequency of cleaning the nests and of fumigation. We show that people that kept their houses clean of nests and routinely disinfected their homes had considerably lower probability of finding vinchucas within their houses. We also identify a general lack of knowledge about risk factors of Chagas disease related to the presence of nesting sites in houses, the form of dispersion of the vector and how to act upon encountering a vinchucas. However, respondents who presented nests in their houses associated the encounter of vinchuca with the presence of nesting sites. The respondents showed high levels of support for programs to control the population of the rock pigeon. It is important that the population at risk of contracting Chagas disease can combat this disease through their daily actions. Promoting better knowledge of risk factors would be an important advancement for community compliance and participation in the fight against Chagas disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Basrah Researches (Sciences) is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii son agentes etiológicos de la criptococosis, el primero tiene distribución mundial y su hábitat principal son las excretas de palomas (Columba livia), mientras que el último se ha aislado de árboles y en pocas ocasiones de heces de aves. En este estudio se comparó en condiciones de laboratorio, el crecimiento de C. neoformans y C. gattii en extractos de excretas de paloma. Se utilizaron dos extractos de heces de aves cautivas: uno de una muestra en la que se aisló C. neoformans (extracto positivo) y otro de una muestra negativa para este hongo (extracto negativo), los cuales fueron inoculados con C. neoformans y C. gattii. Los extractos permitieron el desarrollo de las dos especies y, mostraron un patrón de crecimiento uniforme en el extracto negativo, mientras que, en el positivo, el crecimiento de C. neoformans fue mayor comparado con el de C. gattii (P = 0.0001). El crecimiento de C. gattii fue menor a un pH superior a 7,5, mientras que el crecimiento de C. neoformans no mostró diferencias significativas en los dos extractos independiente de las variaciones del pH. Se necesitan más estudios para elucidar la interacción de estas dos especies en las excretas de palomas.

La paloma doméstica (Columba livia) fue introducida de Europa a América del Norte a principios del siglo XVII, y con ella sus enfermedades. La infección por parásitos de los géneros Eimeria e Isospora por lo regular afectan el tracto intestinal y pueden ocasionar enfermedad entérica en aves silvestres y domésticas. Mundialmente, al menos 5 especies de Eimeria han sido descritas en la paloma doméstica. En este trabajo describimos por primera vez los ooquistes esporulados de E. columbarum en muestras fecales de paloma doméstica de la ciudad de Toluca, México.

During collective vigilance, it is commonly assumed that individual animals compromise their feeding time to be vigilant against predators, benefiting the entire group. One notable issue with this assumption concerns the unclear nature of predator 'detection', particularly in terms of vision. It remains uncertain how a vigilant individual utilizes its high-acuity vision (such as the fovea) to detect a predator cue and subsequently guide individual and collective escape responses. Using fine-scale motion-capture technologies, we tracked the head and body orientations of pigeons (hence reconstructed their visual fields and foveal projections) foraging in a flock during simulated predator attacks. Pigeons used their fovea to inspect predator cues. Earlier foveation on a predator cue was linked to preceding behaviors related to vigilance and feeding, such as head-up or down positions, head-scanning, and food-pecking. Moreover, earlier foveation predicted earlier evasion flights at both the individual and collective levels. However, we also found that relatively long delay between their foveation and escape responses in individuals obscured the relationship between these two responses. While our results largely support the existing assumptions about vigilance, they also underscore the importance of considering vision and addressing the disparity between detection and escape responses in future research., Competing Interests: MD, FK No competing interests declared, (© 2024, Delacoux and Kano.)

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wildfires and invasive species have caused widespread changes in western North America's shrub-steppe landscapes. The bottom-up consequences of degraded shrublands on predator ecology and demography remain poorly understood. We used a before-after paired design to study whether Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) diet and nestling survivorship changed following wildfires in southwestern Idaho, USA. We assessed burn extents from 1981 to 2013 and vegetation changes between 1979 (pre-burn) and 2014 (post-burn) within 3 km of Golden Eagle nesting centroids. We measured the frequency and biomass of individual prey, calculated diet diversity indexes, and monitored nestling survivorship at 15 territories in 1971-1981 and 2014-2015. On average, 0.70 of the area within 3 km of nesting centroids burned between 1981 and 2013, and the mean proportion of unburned shrubland decreased from 0.73 in 1979 to 0.22 in 2014. Diets in post-burn years were more diverse and had a lower proportion of some shrub-associated species, such as black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) and mountain cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii), and a higher proportion of American Coots (Fulica americana), Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Piute ground squirrels (Urocitellus mollis), and Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) compared with pre-burn years. A high proportion of waterfowl represented a novel change in Golden Eagle diets, which are typically dominated by mammalian prey. Nestling survivorship was positively associated with the proportion of black-tailed jackrabbits and negatively associated with the proportion of Rock Pigeons in eagle diets. Rock Pigeons are a vector for Trichomonas gallinae, a disease-causing protozoan lethal to young eagles. Nesting attempts were more likely to fail (all young die) in the post-burn period compared with the pre-burn period. Dietary shifts are a common mechanism for predators to cope with landscape change, but shifts away from preferred prey to disease vectors affect nestling survivorship and could lead to population-level effects on productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One prominent feature of collective attention is the so-called 'group size effect'. Often documented in studies of vigilance by animals foraging gregariously, this effect describes how individual group members are able to reduce their attention to environmental cues (e.g. predators) as group size increases, since the group can pool information from multiple individuals. Despite extensive literature in one context (foraging–vigilance), it remains unclear whether this effect can be observed in other contexts where animals face different informational demands (e.g. navigation). Using a custom-made sensor combining head-mounted inertial measurement unit and back-mounted GPS, we examined head movement, a proxy for visual scanning behaviour, in homing pigeons, Columba livia , flying alone, in pairs and in flocks (ca. 10 individuals). Individual birds' head movements decreased sharply when they switched from solo to paired flights and again when they switched from paired to flock flights. Homing efficiency (or route straightness) did not decrease in parallel with decreasing head movement but continued to increase over repeated flights. We also found systematic individual differences during flock homing flights, where birds positioned more frontally and more centrally in the flock made larger head movements. Moreover, leaders were positioned more frontally and tended to show larger head movements than followers. Decreased head movement by peripheral birds suggested increased attention to the rest of the flock rather than increased individual vigilance (contra 'the edge effect'). Overall, our results suggest that individual birds reduced their visual scanning during navigation because of the need to attend closely to fellow flock members to maintain flock cohesion. While reduced per capita visual scanning may reduce the amount of environmental information available to individual birds, it is likely to be compensated by the flock's collective attention. • The group size effect in attention was examined in the context of navigation. • We measured head movement of homing pigeons using a custom-made sensor. • Pigeons flew alone, in pairs, and in flocks (∼10 individuals). • Pigeons decreased their head movement sharply as the flock size increased. • This effect was likely driven by individuals' efforts to maintain flock cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study describes the haematological profile, feeding preference, and comparison of morphometric characters of blue rock pigeon (Columba livia) breeding pairs. For this purpose, 25 pairs (25 samples per sex) were sampled through Mist nets from district Okara and Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan. Birds were then anaesthetized with a combination of ketamine HCL (10 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and subjected to morphometric measurements. 5µL blood also was taken from the jugular vein of each anaesthetized bird for haematological analysis. Few pairs were also dissected to remove gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) for food preferences. Results revealed that there are no significant differences in the haematological parameters and feeding preference of breeding pairs of Columba livia. The gut analysis further revealed, the major portion of gut contents consisted of pea and corn in most of the pairs. Regarding the mensural measurements, significant differences were recorded in the body weight, length of the longest primary feather, and chest circumference, whereas the rest of the studied parameters remain nonsignificant between sexes. So, it is concluded that apart from 3 morphometric parameters (body weight, length of longest primary feather and chest circumference), both sexes are alike in term of morphometry, haematology and food preference.

Background: Ecological functions and processes in urban ecosystems are governed by various human activities. City-adapted and city-exploiting animal species are expected to present certain specific behavioral and physiological traits in comparison to city-avoiders or conspecific individual frequenting less urbanized or rural environments. A trait of high importance, the plumage color polymorphism has been selected as the main study model and was correlated with different morphological and physiological parameters to highlight its importance in determining the possible health status of urban Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) in North African urban habitats. Methods: Different body morphometrics, hematological and hemoparasitic parameters were quantified on free-living Feral Pigeons in urban environments of northern Algeria. Moreover, plumage melanin-based coloration (MBC) was measured and the data collected at the individual scale was correlated with the previous parameters using linear and non-linear modeling approaches. Results: Plumage MBC scores of the sampled Feral Pigeons ranged between 0.3% and 74.8%. Among the 12 morphological traits measured, body weight, tail length and total length were deemed to be positively correlated with MBC. Darker morphs appeared to have more hemoparasites compared to lighter pigeons. Quite the same observation goes with the immunity but with non-linear trends. The number of monocytes and granulocytes increased with the increase in MBC levels in lighter morphs, while pigeons with high MBC scores exhibited negative relationships between MBC levels and the number of white blood cells. Conclusions: Despite the existence of a number of studies demonstrating phenotypic directional selection, further studies are undoubtedly necessary to understand in detail the underlying mechanisms in species life-history strategies between differently colored individuals. Findings of this correlative study open exciting perspectives revealing that MBC can be considered a good indicator of and health status and adaptation strategies to changes in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetive. Determine the presence of internal and external parasites in common pigeons (Columba livia) in the urban area of the city of Villavicencio, Meta, during the transition from summer to winter in 2017. Materials and Methods. 72 pigeons from three communes of the city were captured and subjected to visual inspection for external parasites, at the same time, samples of fecal material were obtained for stool analysis using the Sheather’s method. Blood samples were smeared and Giemsa stained for hemotropic agents. Results. Two species of external parasites were found in 100% of the samples: malignant lice (Columbicola columbae) and pigeon fly (Pseudolynchia canariensis). Within the internal parasites, two protozoa were found: Haemoproteus spp. (9/34) in blood smear and Eimeria spp. (26/72) in feces, followed by nematodes: Ascaridia spp. (3/72) and Capillaria spp. (10/72) and cestodes: Raillietina spp. (1/72). No association of parasitism was found with the sex of the pigeon or the sampling commune. Conclusions. The presence of internal parasites was low, except for Eimeria spp., these data represent important information on the potential risk for animal and human health, especially for commercial populations of birds and native avifauna. These results indicate that sanitary and control programs are required in the pigeon populations of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 250 droppings of tumbler pigeons (Columba livia domestica , Columbidae) were collected individually from different breeders in Turkey, to investigate the presence and genotyping of microsporidian species by nested PCR and to reveal their zoonotic potential. In the present study, Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the only microsporidian species identified in 35 pigeons with an overall molecular prevalence of 14.0%. Only one known genotype zoonotic Peru6 was identified in all positive samples according to the sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA of E. bieneusi. This study represents the first report of E. bieneusi in pigeons in Turkey. Our study also confirms the competence of breeding pigeons as hosts for the zoonotic Peru6 genotype, corroborating its potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination. Lay summary Microsporidia are spore-producing fungi defined as emerging opportunistic pathogens of humans. The occurrence of microsporidia in animals could be risky for human public health. Home kept breeding pigeons pose a high risk for transmission of the microsporidians to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in behavioural traits is especially important in novel habitats where selection forces determine successful colonizers. Prey species must constantly balance the risk versus reward of remaining in an area with threats while gaining possible fitness benefits. Flight initiation distance, the distance at which an animal flees when approached by a human, is a common metric used to assess habituation to stressors and risk behaviour. Here we examine the flight initiation distance of 519 feral pigeons (Columba livia) across New York City, U.S.A. We examined this behavioural response across the metropolitan landscape with respect to multiple urbanization factors related to human activity, the abiotic environment and the ecological community. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to transform landcover characters and then liner models to test various anthropogenic variables including landcover, pedestrian traffic and human population size. We found that flight initiation distance in pigeons decreased with increased human activity (measured by pedestrian traffic and human population size) and more urban landcover (specifically longer road length and greater amounts of impervious surface). We also found that flight initiation distance was shorter in areas with more peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus , sightings, but longer in areas with more red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis , sightings. Overall, this research demonstrates that feral pigeon behaviour varies with urbanization, human activity and ecological attributes. Since behavioural changes are often the most rapid phenotypic response to change, this study demonstrates that pigeons are responding to anthropogenic stressors, which may set the stage for adaptive changes. • Flight initiation distance in pigeons was lower in areas with higher urbanization. • Pigeons allowed close approach in areas with increased human activity. • Habitat heterogeneity influenced behavioural responses. • Flight initiation distance was influenced by urban predator communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raptors are often the cause of human-wildlife conflict because they may predate economically valuable species, and it is the perceived extent of predation that may augment conflict between raptors and people who keep and race pigeons. This study uses data obtained through questionnaires and an online raptor-attack reporting feature to investigate the frequency of racing pigeon losses and the perceptions of pigeon fanciers. Responses suggest that those who kept more pigeons and entered more races lost a higher proportion of pigeons. Losses were also influenced by the predatory species: sparrowhawks (Accipter nisus) were more likely to attack pigeons at lofts, whilst peregrines (Falco peregrinus) were more likely to attack pigeons during training, with patterns linked to the raptors' breeding seasons. Pigeon fanciers were almost unanimous in their perception that raptors threaten the future of the hobby. Previous studies show that only a small proportion of racing pigeons are likely to be lost to raptors, yet pigeon fanciers believe that raptors are the main cause of losses, highlighting a possible mismatch between the perceived and actual causes of loss. This misconception may be a main source of this human-raptor conflict, so educating pigeon fanciers about the true impact of raptors could help to alleviate the issue. A shift in the beginning of the pigeon racing season by one month, and careful sighting of pigeon lofts in gardens, are also recommended in order to reduce raptor attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) was initially introduced to North America from Europe in XVII century, along with its diseases. Infections by parasites of the genera Eimeria and Isospora affect the intestinal tract and produce enteric disease in wild and domestic birds. Worldwide, at least 5 Eimeria spp. have been described in the domestic pigeon. Here we provide the first description of E. columbarum sporulated oocysts in faecal samples of domestic pigeons from Toluca City, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]