Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Red-billed Quelea (quelea Quelea) During Rainy Season in Gyawana Ecosystem, Adamawa State, Nigeria

A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea) was carried out in Gyawana ecosystem. The prevalence of the identified gastrointestinal parasite was also determined based on the gender of the Quelea quelea. The study was conducted for a period of three (3) months (June to August, 2022). A total of sixty (60) adult male and female red-billed (Q. quelea), thirty (30) for each sex were trapped using black nylon mist nets. Direct smear method for faecal examination was performed and stool specimens were processed following a formal-ether standing operation procedure. The gastrointestinal parasites were identified on the basis of morphological characteristics. The data obtained in this study was statistically analysed using descriptive statistics and the result were presented as percentage prevalence. The result reveals five (5) different species of gastrointestinal parasites. Ascaris species has the highest prevalence having 19 frequencies, followed by Giardia species with 9 frequencies and the least is Entamoeba species with 4 frequencies. The prevalence of the parasites from highest to the lowest are in this order; Ascaris species>Giardia species>Coccidia >Strongyloides species>Entamoeba species. There is a significant difference between the species of gastrointestinal parasite based on their prevalence at (P