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Re: odd finches



>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.