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Re: odd finches
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu (CAROLINA BIRDS)
- Subject: Re: odd finches
- From: BILL HILTON JR Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History<hilton@hiltonpond.org>
- Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 11:12:10 -0400
- In-reply-to: <GAGFKCPAMPIEKAAA@mailcity.com>
- References: <GAGFKCPAMPIEKAAA@mailcity.com>
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
>Dear Carolina Birders,
>This morning I noticed a flock of about 10 house finches at my
>feeder (2 males, some females and juveniles). Two of the brown ones
>had somewhat disfigured bills. All the others had smooth bills, but
>these two had bumpy, rough-looking bills. Anyone familiar with this
>phenomena?
>---
>Leah Campbell
>Blackstock, SC
>leahcam@lycos.com
>
LEAH . . .
This phenomenon is fairly common in young House Finches and may be
avian pox, a somewhat contagious disease that affects the bills and
feet of many bird species. Based on my banding records, at least some
of the affected juveniles survive with no apparent long-term effects.
Best wishes,
BILL
--
BILL HILTON JR., "The Piedmont Naturalist"
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
hilton@hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845
Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net) at
http://www.hiltonpond.org and
http://www.rubythroat.org
"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to
watch the sunset." BHjr.