Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Volume 8(2), pages 23-28, April 2023 Article Number: 066654B51 ISSN: 2536-7099 https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2022.330 https://integrityresjournals.org/journal/JASVM Full Length Research Gastrointestinal parasites of feral pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789) at two temples of Kathmandu valley Bina Jha, Ranjana Gupta, Janak Raj Subedi * and Bijay Chhetri Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. *Corresponding author. Email: janak.subedi@cdz.tu.edu.np Copyright © 2023 Jha et al. This article remains permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received 3rd July 2022; Accepted 4th September 2022 ABSTRACT: Protozoans, helminths and other gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in Aves are an imperative but often ignored topic in rising nations like Nepal. Accurate inspections of GI parasites in feral pigeons inform pragmatic treatment regimens. In a prospective examination of intestinal parasites in the coprological study of feral pigeons in April 2016, a total of 120 samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and examined by microscopy of direct and concentrated faecal sample techniques to detect ova, larvae, and oocysts of parasites. Altogether 109 (90.83%) samples were positive with 6 genera of GI parasites. The study identified one genus of protozoa: Eimeria sp. (43.34%) and five genera of helminths: Capillaria sp. (51.67%), Ascaridia sp. (27.50%), Heterakis sp. (19.17%), Syngamus sp. (4.17%) and Tetrameres sp. (1.70%). The prevalence rate of helminth parasites (83.34%) was higher than the prevalence rate of protozoan parasites (43.34%). The present study revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of helminths and protozoan parasites (χ²=15.14, p<0.05). However, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites showed no significant variation with respect to single and mixed infection ( χ² =1.56, p>0.05). The present study examined a higher prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites due to a lack of deworming programs in feral pigeons and a lack of sustainable action designs. Therefore, the sustainable action design and its implementation to control parasitic infection and reduce the health hazards of feral temple pigeons were recommended. Keywords: Feral, helminths, intestinal parasites, Kathmandu, pigeon, protozoans. INTRODUCTION Pigeons (Columba livia) are worldwide free-living species which are found since ancient times (BC. 3000-5000) and are known to be originated from Europe, North Africa and Asia (Sari et al., 2008). Wild pigeons inhabit almost everywhere except the Sahara Desert, Antarctica and the high Arctic. They have adapted to live in urban, suburban and rural environments and have close communication with humans. In some countries, pigeons are used for human food, hobby, experimental purposes, cultural and religious symbol as well as ornamental purposes, also feral pigeons are used as a bio-indicator of chemical pollution (klein et al., 2008; Nam et al., 2004). Columba livia is descended from wild rock Pigeons that live in Mediterranean Europe (Adang, 1999). Common names of Columba livia are the pigeon, dove, blue rock pigeon, rock dove, wild rock pigeon, rock pigeon, and feral pigeon. These birds feed on grains, such as wheat, maize, seeds of grasses, etc. Normally, they are gregarious. Pigeons are the inhabitants of most of the temples across the country. People are unaware of the possible risks they pose to human health. A pigeon can carry many parasites and pathogens to different flocks (Opara et al., 2012). Pigeons will defecate on the roof, ground, or in bushes, trees, and plants. This has the danger of possibly getting tracked into homes by humans or even pets. With this, any disease or even parasites in those droppings end up right in homes. They can also serve as a source for different zoonotic diseases (Karatepe et al., 2011). Pigeons are mucky birds, causing disease and damage. Their droppings are known for causing human slips and falls, unpleasant to sight. Droppings of pigeons are very acidic and can destroy roofing materials of buildings, monuments, temples and