Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Ornamental Cage Birds in Sebha City, Southern Libya: A Cross-Sectional Coproscopic Survey

Abstract

Ornamental (cage) bird keeping has expanded into a commercial trade across Libya, yet the parasitic burden carried by these birds remains poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among ornamental birds in Sebha City, southern Libya, and to generate locally relevant evidence for breeders and pet-shop operators. This cross-sectional study examined 101 faecal samples collected between September and December 2022 from ornamental birds representing nine taxonomically distinct groups, including the domestic canary (Serinus canaria domestica), the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), lovebirds (Agapornis spp.), the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), and the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Samples were processed by formalin-ether sedimentation and examined by light microscopy. Overall, 36 of 101 birds (35.6%, 95% CI 27.0-45.4%) were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Eimeria spp. oocysts were the most common finding (22.8%), followed by Ascaridia sp. ova (7.9%), mixed Eimeria-Ascaridia infection (3.0%), and Entamoeba sp. cysts (2.0%). Prevalence varied among taxonomic groups; the comparison of canaries, budgerigars, and all other groups combined approached statistical significance (χ² = 5.86, df = 2, p = 0.053). No significant association was found between infection and sex, food source, or water source. These findings indicate that intestinal parasitism is common among ornamental birds traded in southern Libya and support targeted parasitological screening, improved husbandry education, and broader surveillance.