TRICHOMONOSIS in a Flock of Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

Hatchlings from a zebra finch flock (80 birds) with a history of hatchling mortality were necropsied. Trichomoniasis was diagnosed as the cause of chick mortality. The deaths of young birds ceased after the drinking water was acidified and the flock treated with metronidazole. Trichomoniasis in captive passerines is rarely reported and may be a sign for the expansion of the range of susceptible host species that have infrequent contact with columbids.