Blood Parasites of Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) in Maysan Governorate, Iraq

Melopsittacus undulatus, a budgerigar of the family Psittacidae, is widely distributed in most parts of the world. The present research aimed to characterize the blood parasites associated with this species by analyzing fifty-three blood samples collected from budgerigars of both sexes in Maysan Governorate during the period from October to July 2024. The study focused on determining the prevalence, infection pattern, and distribution between sexes, as well as characterizing the detected parasitic species. The data showed that the overall prevalence of haemosporidian parasites was 30.18%. The relative distribution of infection with Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon species was 68.75%, 18.75%, and 25%, respectively. In addition, the study revealed a significant difference in infection rates between the sexes, with a higher rate recorded in females than in males. In terms of infection patterns, the results showed that single infections constituted the majority (68.75%), while co-infections were less common (43.75%). These results indicate that budgerigars in Maysan Governorate represent a potential host for blood parasites, with varying rates recorded depending on the parasite species and sex. This study represents the first documentation of the presence of hemosporidian parasites in budgerigars (M. undulatus) in the region, contributing to enriching the epidemiological database on blood parasites of ornamental birds in Iraq and paving the way for more comprehensive future studies on the transmission dynamics of these parasites and their impact on the health of birds and other potential host species.