[Mallophaga of pigeons in Cracow]

Infestation of Columba livia domestica GMELIN with Mallophaga has been investigated in both, breeding and feral pigeons. All pigeons came from the area of Cracow. Five species of Mallophaga have been distinguished: Columbicola columbae columbae (L.), Campanulotes bidentatus compar (BURM.), Coloceras damicornis fahrenholzi EICHLER, Hohorstiella gigantea lata (PIAG.), Neocolpocephalum (Neocolpocephalum) turbinatum (DENNY). It appeared that the first two of the above-mentioned species showed the highest intensity of occurrence. The most frequent was the mixed invasion of these two species. Research on infestation with Mallophaga with regard to the origin of pigeons showed bigger infestation of breeding pigeons, besides, the females were more intensively infested that the males. The higher degree of infestation occurred in old and weak pigeons.