ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CATTLE EGRET BIRD Bubulcus ibis AND ITS ASSOCIATEDECTO AND EN DO- PARASITES AT BENI SUEF GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agric. Res. Center, Dokkl. Giza.

Abstract

Some ecological studies on cattle egret bird in addition 10 survey of edo and
endo-parasites associated with it were conducted in two different locations at Beni
Suef Governorate. Results showed that birds numbers in the field crops were more at
sunrise than sunset allover year months, while vice versa occurred in fruit orchards.
The highest number of bird was observed in spring and summer seasons, but the
lowest number was in autumn and winter. Cattle egret birds damaged flowers and
fruits of citrus with 15.0 and 7.0%, respectively. Regarding associated ectoparasites,
two insect species; Sarcophaga sp. and Delm6sts macu/atus were found in the bird
nests, while lice species Upeurus sp. and Trinoton anserinum were recorded on the
young and adult birds with different numbers. Also, two soft ticks species I.e Argas
persicus. Argas reflexus
and one species of mite Sp;nibdeOa bifurcate were found in
nests, nestling and adult birds. Another two mites species Acarus sp < /em>. and
Caloglyphus sp < /em>. were only recorded on the young and adult individuals. Inspection of
endoparasites revealed that Coccidia oocysts, Ascaridia ova and Pseudomonas,
Proteus, enteric bacteria and yeast were isolated from alive adult, young birds
intestine and their dropping while blood samples were negative for blood parasites.