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bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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Posted by mac60 (My Page) on Sun, Jan 31, 10 at 18:54
I'm hoping someone can give me some insight as to what this is. I took this picture today. It shows his feet, beak, and left eye. I first noticed the 3 places on his left eye a couple of weeks ago and thought it odd. However, until today, I hadn't noticed the feet or beak. Can't say with any certainty if I hadn't noticed because they weren't there a couple of weeks ago or the pics I took just didn't show it.
Anyone know what it might be?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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| Sadly I think it is avian pox. I had a wild Turkey last year that had it and eventualy died. I did a little research at the time and it sounded like there are several different forms, some can be treated if I remember right. It will continue to grow till the bird can not see or eat. Elli will know better and may be able to help. All you can do is keep an eye out for him till he is weak enough to catch then get him to a rehabber pronto. I do not think it is contagious. |
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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| uuuugggg I just looked again and it can be spread. Prolly not in the winter though as I see you have snow too so should not be any mosquitos. Let me try to find Elly. Start looking for a rehabber if you don't already have one. Where are you? |
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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| I saw that last night. But I couldn't really see the growths on the feet that he was talking about, and the spots on the eye were so yellow, I didn't know what it was. In any case, if it is pox, and it goes no further, the bird usually recovers and is immune to pox from then on. Pox can be fatal IF the lesions obstruct the eyes or impedes the bird's ability to find food. It can also grow in the throat, which impedes eating. There is nothing for a homeowner to do except be very vigilant cleaning feeding surfaces, as that is how it is spread. And as Lisa noted, if the bird is "down" and catchable, bring it to a rehabber. Sometimes rehabbers will "see it through" and release the bird after the lesions clear. |
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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| That is a fascinating picture. What is that bird sitting on? It appears to be sitting in mid-air. I could be wrong, but it doesn't look like the dreaded pox to me. If you enlarge the image it looks like the stuff on the feet is peeling off. Also, the pox usually appears on the top of the feet, and this bird has it on the bottom for the most part. Perhaps he landed in something and got it stuck to his feet? Plus the color is wrong. A bird with black feet should have dark colored growths with the pox. It looks like this bird landed in peanut butter suet. |
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I googled avian pox but did not see pics that resembled the "growths" on this guy. But I really didn't find anything else that looked like it either. I am going to try to find recent pics to compare to the one from yesterday. I know the places on his left eye have been there for a while, I just don't know about the feet and beak.
This picture was taken as he was coming in for a landing at the bluebird feeder in my backyard. (which actually has been taken over by the juncos) I did look closely at the other pics from recent days, did not see any other kind of bird with any sort of growth or "oddity".
We are in central Oklahoma and are covered with ice and snow. Seems like it has been really cold "forever". :(
Is it possible that these growths are related to diet in any way? I remember reading an article where the author had written about overfeeding bluebirds (mealworms???, suet???) and noted problems with the birds' feet. As you can tell, my memory of the details fails me. I believe the author was Julie Zickefoose. I will research that as soon as possible.
I have not been able to find a rehabber in this area. If anyone has any suggestions for this area, please let me know.
Thank you again for your help and input! |
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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| I echooooo Kendraaaaa... If the bird is active and eating, you don't need a rehabber. |
RE: bumps on beak, eyes, feet (bluebird)
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| Peanut butter suet?????? Boy that could sure explain the same color bumps around the beak! That would be a welcome explanation! Mac you only need a rehabber if a bird is sick enough you can catch it. Im hoping Kendra has the answer. HOWEVER if you are an active birder it's best to line up a rehabber long before you need one. http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm Try this link to locate one. GOOD luck! |
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