Sarcocystis calchasi, a protozoan agent responsible for a highly fatal neurologic disease in domestic pigeons, was first described in Germany in 2009. The two-host life cycle of the parasite includes the domestic pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) as intermediate host and the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) as final host. Besides being present in the musculature as tissue cysts, a unique feature of this parasite is that it induces a severe granulomatous meningoencephalitis after natural and experimental infection. This parasite can affect large flocks of racing pigeons and induces a severe biphasic disease accompanied by polyuria, diarrhea and subsequent central nervous system signs, such as torticollis, trembling and paralysis. This invasion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pigeon diseases with neurologic signs, specifically head tilt, torticollis and ataxia.
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