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Avian malaria (Plasmodium) and related genera (Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) are diverse and widespread parasites. Despite the extent of knowledge on avian haemosporidian parasites, information about domestic and wild bird's blood parasites is overall insufficient in Iran. Prevalence of the haemosporidian parasites’ and phylogenetic relationship of lineages are studied by using molecular and morphological results of 152 examined hosts belonging to 17 species. Molecular analysis for haemosporidian detections demonstrated overall prevalence 22.36%. Inspected hosts mostly belonging to Common Pigeons (Columba livia) parasitized by Haemoproteus spp., and Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) and Carrion Crow (C. corone) were identified as hosting Plasmodium spp. Detected lineages COLIV03, COQUI05, LINN01, ROFI04 and SGS01 are identified as new reports from Iran. We detected no evidence of Leucocytozoon lineages, while the high prevalence of H. columbae was found in Common Pigeons. Such investigation on avian blood parasites contributes to providing new information on the prevalence, epidemiology and geographical distribution of haemosporidian parasites circulating in domestic, pets and wild birds.

Hepatic lipidosis and hernia are problems that can occur in pet birds due to different causes. Aspergillosis is also an important disease of pet birds. This article reports an interesting case which, to our knowledge, is the first one in Iran. A 7-year-old male common mynah was presented to the clinic of avian diseases at the University of Tehran, Tehran City, Iran, with a history of severe dyspnea, anorexia, feeding with a high-energy diet, and recently been in the northern parts of Iran. Unfortunately, the bird died. Necropsy was done to diagnose the cause of death. Tissue samples from abdominal viscera, lungs, and air sacs were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Bacterial cultures from the liver and bone marrow were performed on blood and MacConkey agars. In the external carcass examination, the abdominal swelling, hernia, and yellow discoloration under the skin were obvious. At necropsy, the liver was enlarged with yellowish discoloration. There was also a high amount of fat around the abdominal viscera. Microscopically, fatty change, hepatocellular necrosis, and hemorrhages were seen in the liver. There were also vegetative forms of Aspergillus on the lung’s parenchyma and air sacs. No bacterial growth was observed. Pet birds are usually restricted to a cage by minimal contact with other birds; thus, diseases related to management are common among these birds. So keeping in suitable conditions with an appropriate, balanced diet is important for their health.