Feather lice in pigeons
Other names: Lice، Mites
Symptoms
- Small holes in the wing feathers (light passes through them)
- Itching, dull feathers
- Visible lice between the feather barbs
How it spreads
Direct contact, nests, new birds.
Diagnosis
Examine the feathers against the light.
Treatment
Insecticidal sprays/powders suitable for birds (permethrin and others) or a spot-on under the veterinarian's supervision. [Update 3] Harlin & Wade 2009: feather lice (Columbicola columbae) often indicate a weak bird unable to clean itself - look for another disease. Ivermectin and pyrethrin are effective if used correctly; dip or dusting with 0.15% pyrethrin or 5% carbaryl.
Prevention
A water bath for the birds, cleaning the nests, checking new birds.
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Sources
- Vogel, Gehrke, Lehmann - 'Taubenkrankheiten' / Vogel & Gylstorff - standard German pigeon disease texts - not fetched
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov