What is the most common disease acquired from wild mourning doves?

The most common disease acquired from wild mourning doves is Frounce. Frounce is caused by a protozoan parasite known as Trichomonas gallinae, which often affects birds that feed on infected hosts or contaminated food and water sources. Mourning doves can carry this parasite, making them a potential vector for transmission to birds of prey, including falcons that consume them.

Understanding the spread of diseases in wildlife is crucial for falconers, as these diseases can then pass to their birds. While other diseases such as Aspergillosis, Coccidiosis, and Pneumonia can also affect birds, they are not primarily associated with mourning doves to the same extent as Frounce. Aspergillosis is typically linked to mold found in damp conditions, Coccidiosis is a parasitic infection primarily associated with overcrowding in captive birds, and Pneumonia can arise from various causes but is not specifically tied to mourning doves. Therefore, recognizing Frounce as the disease related to mourning doves helps falconers be alert to potential health risks when they interact with or feed wild birds to their falcons.