>
> How does one determine that a bird is "sick"? I've always figured they (at
> least the smaller birds) are healthy or they're somebody's lunch.
>
> What are the diagnostic behaviors/appearances?

The only bird which I've seen extensively with regard to the above
condition is Pine Siskin, which crashes seemingly regularly in the
Portland area. The sick birds I have had at my feeders are very
listless--they don't act with the energy of the other siskins. They can
be approached rather closely with little notice of you. I'll admit one
can get close to siskins at feeders, but usually they'll cll a little
more as you approach and become more aware of you. these sick birds just
sit there like lumps; I touched one once before it flew, and then it
didn't fly far.

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Ray Korpi
rkorpi at clark.edu
wrk: 360-992-2215
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