Aim: To determine the baseline haematological parameters for some apparently free-living wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria.

Methods: 133 birds from 7 species were used for the study; 20 each of Streptopelia senegalensis (Laughing Dove), Treron waalia (Bruce’s Green Pigeon), Psittacula krameri (Rose-Ringed Parakeet), Poicephalus senegalus (Senegal Parrot), and 19 Columba guinea (Speckled Pigeon), 16 Streptopelia decipiens (Mourning Collar-Dove) and, 18 Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret). Haematocrit and Natt-Herrick’s method, and thin blood smear technique were used for the haematological analyses. Haemoglobin concentrations (Hb) were determined using the cyanmethaemoglobin method.

Results: P. krameri had significantly highest while T. waalia had significantly lowest (p<0.05) PCV values. S. senegalensis and B. ibis had highest RBC and Hb, respectively. S. senegalensis and C. guinea had significantly highest (p<0.05) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), respectively. P. senegalus had significantly highest (p<0.05) TWBC and heterophil, and also highest heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Basophil and eosinophil values were highest for P. krameri and B. ibis, respectively. S. decipiens reported significantly lowest (p<0.05) TWBC, heterophil and lymphocyte. Monocyte, which was significantly different (p<0.05) was highest for both T. waalia and P. senegalus, but lowest for S. senegalensis.

Conclusion: There were significant interspecies differences (p<0.05) in some haematological values of the wild birds studied.

 

Keywords: Haematology, Wild birds, Zaria