An investigation of Endo- and Hemoparasitic Infection in Quails (Coturnix coturnix) Population of Sulaymaniyah Province/Iraq

Quails is an interesting group of galliform birds. The study aimed to investigate the parasitic infection in common grey quails (Coturnix coturnix). During the hunting seasons from2023 to 2024, a total of 45 birds were examined for detection of parasitic infection. All the quails were captured from different regions belonging to Sulaymaniyah province. Parasitological examination was applied to define endoparasites, and haemoparasites were detected through Giemsa-stained blood smears. The investigation revealed that 73.33% of examined quails harbored at least one parasitic species. Enteric parasites, including helminths, Choanotaenea infundibulum was discovered from one bird 3.03%, and Heterakis gallinarum from two birds 6.06%. Enteric protozoa belonging to the genera Eimeria and Cryptosporidium with prevalence rates of 36.36% and 30.30% were detected, respectively. Tetratrichomonas gallinarum was also observed from 3 quails 9.09%. Infection by hemoprotozoa revealed a higher infection rate of 78.78%. Haemoproteus spp. represented the prevalence one and was reported in 45.45%, Plasmodium spp. was the second more prevalent, found in 33.33% of inspected birds; and Aegyptianella pullorum was another recognized blood parasite, observed with an occurrence rate of 12.12 %. The intensity of co-infection by hemoparasites was high 72.72%. The current study provided an insight into the existence of different parasites that harbour the common quails; applying reliable diagnostic procedures is essential for identifying the discovered parasites.