Trichomonas gallinae is a single celled protozoan parasite of birds. It is a flagellate, meaning that it has a number of long tentacle-like flagella that aid in locomotion.
T. gallinae lives in the oral cavity, crop, and upper digestive tract of birds, usually pigeons and doves. It is a significant problem in domestic flocks of these birds. It also occurs in birds of prey, which acquire the parasite when they prey on infected birds. Many other wild bird species appear to be immune, but some, such as finches and sparrows are occasionally affected.
Some strains of T. gallinae appear to be much more virulent than others, but even with the virulent strains, a percentage of birds survive the infection. Infected birds have accumulations of a cheesy exudate in their mouths and crops, and virulent strains damage internal organs such as the liver and lungs. Even a mild infection will reduce the bird's energy level significantly.
The medical term for infection with T. gallinae is trichomoniasis: in pigeons and doves, the disease is called canker. In birds of prey, it is known as frounce.
Rosemary Drisdelle - Rosemary Drisdelle has been published many times as a nonfiction writer and several times as a poet. Her first book, Parasites: Tales of ...
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