I noticed an eye deformity on approximatly 4 Finches at my feeders a few
weeks ago...They only hung around a few days, and then suddenly were gone,
maybe dead. I read a few articles that lead me to think it was
conjuctivitus (sp?). I was never able to find anyone who could look at the
birds and confirm one way or another what was wrong with them. I do know,
they appeared to be blind and struggling to fly, although they were adult
birds. The only thing I knew to do was clean everything with a bleach
solution, which I did, and crossed my fingers that no others would get
whatever this was. So far, so good. It was a heartbreaking sight to say the
least. This was my first experience with any kind of problems with birds in
my area.


At 08:31 PM 10/14/97 -0700, you wrote:
>Dear Tweeterites,
>
>Were there some messages posted in the past year or so on a disease or
>parasite or other pathology common in House Finches?
>
>Mr. Walter Dougherty has been observing House Finches at his feeder which
>exhibit deformities like tumorous growths near their eyes or on their
>throats. Some have twisted, crumpled feet. He believes that about 1
>out of every 8 finches have some kind of deformity. The deformed
>birds, in his estimation, are all juveniles, not yet sporting the red
>on the head.
>
>That's about all I can remember of my conversation with Mr. Dougherty.
>I would appreciate any information that might be provided. I may
>call the National Wildlife Health Lab to try to get some informed
>guidance on this one.
>
>Kelly McAllister
>Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
>
>
Ayrielle
North Carolina (Southeast Coast) USA