A study was undertaken to isolate and characterize avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) causing swollen head syndrome in chickens. Out of 21 oropharyngeal swab samples collected, only one sample from eight weeks old commercial layers was positive for aMPV N gene specific RT-PCR. The positive sample was inoculated in vero cells and isolated after four blind passages. The virus was identified by Agar gel precipitation test with reference aMPV hyperimmune serum. Further it was confirmed by N gene specific RT-PCR. Molecular subtyping based on G gene specific RT PCR revealed that the isolate belong to...