Trichomonas gallinae is commonly found in the mouth, throat, GI tract and upper respiratory tract of pigeons, doves, and raptors that eat these species.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only in pigeons
• D. Only in raptors

Answer: (B)

Trichomonas gallinae is a parasite that colonizes mucosal surfaces of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts of birds. In pigeons and doves, it commonly lives in the mouth and throat and can extend into the esophagus and crop, highlighting its preference for the oropharyngeal region. Raptors acquire the parasite by eating infected prey, so they can harbor the same mucosal locations—mouth, throat, and upper GI/respiratory tract—after consuming these birds. Because the parasite can be found in both the prey species and the raptors that feed on them, the statement describing its presence in those regions across pigeons, doves, and predatory birds that eat these species is accurate.