Methods of detecting Chlamydophila, including differentiating between species of Chlamydophila and/or strains of Chlamydophila psittaci are disclosed, for example to detect and genotype a Chlamydophila psittaci infection. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of a Chlamydophila, is screened for the presence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the Chlamydophila nucleic acid indicates the presence of the Chlamydophila bacterium. Determining whether a Chlamydophila nucleic acid is present in a sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between a Chlamydophila specific primer, a Chlamydophila psittaci specific primer, and/or a Chlamydophila psittaci genotype-specific primer and the Chlamydophila nucleic acid containing sample. Thus, primers for the detection, species-specific and/or genotype-specific identification of Chlamydophila psittaci are disclosed. Kits that contain the disclosed primers also are disclosed.