Posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression by small RNAs was shown for multiple pathogenic microorganisms and plays an important role in virulence. 4 putative sRNA genes located in intergenic loci were identified: MAV_0380-0381 (4.5S RNA), MAV_1034-1035 (trans-encoded sRNA), MAV_1415-1416 (antisense or trans-encoded sRNA) and MAV_1531-1532 (processed 5' UTR of 16S rRNA gene). The revealed sRNAs represent the first small noncoding RNAs identified in M. avium.