Haematological and plasma biochemical parameters of the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) and the Nigerian duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

As part of ongoing studies on the blood profiles of the Nigerian avian species, haematological and plasma biochemical parameters were determined in the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis). There were no significant sex differences in all the parameters studied. However, when the values that were observed in the Nigerian laughing dove were compared with those of the Nigerian duck (Anas platyrhynchos), the Nigerian duck had significantly higher mean corpuscular volume, total white blood counts, plasma urea, total protein and globulin, but significantly lower red blood cell counts, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, plasma potassium and albumin/globulin ratio than the Nigerian laughing dove. However, the packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, plasma sodium, creatinine and albumin were similar in the two species of bird.