Postmortem findings on a group of pica pica (Passeriformes: Corvidae)

Abstract

Common magpies (Corvidae: Pica pica) distribute through rural and urban areas of Turkey. Because of their distribution in urbanised regions, magpies may have some potential infectious agents which may relate to domestic animals and humans. In this study, eight common magpies brought to the animal hospital in need of medical intervention were examined for endoparasites and bacteria in a one-year period. Additionally, histopathologic examinations with related organs were carried out along with endo-parasitical, cytological and microbial examination the following necropsy. As results of the necropsies, three parasite species including two helminths and one protozoan (Passerilepis sp., Brachylaima sp., Isospora rochalimai, respectively) were identified, while Staphylococcus xylosus, S. sciuri, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella spp. were isolated after microbiological examination. Histopathology revealed that subacute focal mycotic pneumonia, chronic nonpurulent granulomatous gastroenteritis, verminous enteritis, and the presence of paratyphoid nodules in liver. Both of the parasites and bacteria are the first records for Turkey’s helminth/bacterial fauna in wild birds.