Survey of Intestinal Parasites and Bacteria in Canada Geese in Shelby County, TN

Kaitlin A. Gallagher^1,2,*, Deigo Gomez Perez², and Lacy Skinner²

¹Florida Southern College, Department of Biology, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801.²Christian Brothers University, Deparment of Biology, 650 E Parkway S, Memphis, TN 38104. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 25, Issue 1 (2026): 34–51

First published early online: 19 February 2026

Abstract
The increased presence of Branta canadensis (Canada Geese) in recreational and agricultural spaces has become a human health and veterinary concern since they can vector human and animal pathogens. The goal of this study was to survey Canada Geese in Shelby County, TN, to determine whether these birds are hosting any parasites or bacteria of concern. We used bacterial plating and DNA extraction and amplification to confirm the presence of Escherichia coli in Canada Geese fecal samples. Centrifugal fecal flotation confirmed the presence of the following parasites within geese fecal matter: cestode, trematode, strongylid, and capillarid nematode eggs; coccidia oocysts; and Giardia spp. cysts. Prevalence of potential zoonotic pathogens was very low; therefore, these geese do not seem to be acting as reservoirs for parasites of concern.

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