Subject: Re: sick house finches? - Avian Pox
Date: Mar 30 16:35:47 1995
From: Jon Anderson - anderjda at dfw.wa.gov


A similar thread went through tweeters a week or two (?) ago. What you
are seeing is most likely Avian (Fowl) Pox. House finches appear to be
especially susceptible to the disease. The disease can be debilitating
or fatal to the infected bird. Crusty, swollen tumors and lesions are
most often seen on the head and on the feet. The disease is quite
communicable among the birds - I don't *think* it can affect people.

A common means for the birds to transmit the disease is at feeders, where
food (and water?) can be contaminated by feces. It is extremely
important to maintain a clean area at the feeders, more so when Pox is
observed. If your feeder surface is flat and wooden, at the very least
wash the area with strong soap or a bleach solution. Having the feed on
a screen, rather than on a solid substrate, will help in maintaining a
clean feeding area.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, WA
anderjda at dfw.wa.gov


On Thu, 30 Mar 1995, Joseph Pentheroudakis wrote:

> I've noticed that several of the (female) house finches that visit my
> feeders (at home and here at Microsoft) have lumps on their cheeks or
> the tops of their heads. Often the skin shows on the ones on their
> cheeks (where the feathers are shortest, I imagine) - but not on the
> ones on their heads. Any idea what that might be all about? Is this
> just scar tissue from battles won, or are they sick? Or is something
> else going on?