I observe such deformities in Brewer's Blackbird flocks quite often.
When I was working retail in Beaverton, I could id individuals just by
their leg problems. Ihave seen this often in BRBL's elsewhere as well.
In Rock Doves, I see some of this as well, especially in places
where there are bigger flocks. I suspect that the birds may be able to
cope with these slight problems as they are flock species who do not rely
heavily on their feet for gathering prey.
A bander friend of mine back in the Midwest has noticed an
increased incidence of such deformities in sparrow poulations in the last
10 years. She tends to band in the same places and at same times every
year, so there may be some vaiidity to this. Ray K

On Wed, 15 Jan 1997, Dale Goble wrote:

>
> A friend (who is not on tweeters) asked the following question:
>
> I have a very urgent question! I was sitting in an outdoor cafe
> yesterday eating lunch. As I watched the little doves (tiny grey ones
> with light blue beaks) I realized that about 1/2 of them had deformed
> feet. Some had crooked toes while others had no foot at all on one or the
> other leg. I was really appalled that so many had deformities!!! Would
> you ask some of your ecology profs what could cause such a thing. I was
> in downtown Honolulu....
>
>
> i will forward any responses. thanx
>
> dale goble
> moscow
>
>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray Korpi "A person is a person, no matter how small."
Hm: Portland, OR --Dr Seuss, "Horton Hears a Who"
Wk: Clark College
Vancouver, WA
rkorpi at clark.edu