Ticks (and tick-borne diseases) in falcons

Cause: Soft and hard ticks (Argas, Hyalomma; confidence: low for species), a possible vector of Babesia · Type: ectoparasite / vector

Other names: Ticks، Pigeon lice (a popular confusion)

Symptoms

• Visible ticks around the head and eye
• Anaemia
• Sometimes paralysis (tick paralysis)

Diagnosis

Visual examination; blood smear for parasites.

Treatment

Manual removal and bird-safe acaricides as the vet directs.

Prevention

Check new and wild birds, keep the maqeez clean, spray the environment with a safe pesticide with the bird outside.

Season

Summer (an estimate)

Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.

Other diseases

• Lice and flat flies of birds (louse flies)