A real-time fluorescent RT-PCR assay was developed to amplify avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1)-specific nucleic acid fragments from field samples. Subsequent restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) using BglI was carried out to type strains according to their virulence. Primer sequences were used to amplify a 202 base-pair fragment, encompassing the fusion protein cleavage site, in a one-step RT-PCR test for detection of a range of field cases and reference strains of APMV-1. Subsequent restriction endonuclease analysis of the amplified fragments enabled differentiation of low virulent lentogenic field and vaccine strains from more virulent mesogenic and velogenic field strains of APMV-1, including pigeon PMV-1. In 2004, seven cases of pigeon PMV-1 in Northern Ireland were diagnosed and differentiated more rapidly using the fluorescent RT-PCR assay when compared with the use of virus isolation. We report the development and application of a one-step real-time RT-PCR test coupled with REA as a fast, specific method for both the detection and typing of APMV-1 from field samples.