While banding birds in Vancouver 5 to 10 years ago, I estimated a 10 to 20%
infection rate for avian pox in House Finches. No other species came close.
I've seen it rarely on Evening Grosbeaks, and once on a Swainson's Thrush.
I don't think it kills House Finches very often, though a few with bad
lesions around their eyes were obviously hampered. Many have it on their
feet (which may spread the disease to other birds' faces at roosts and
feeders as they wipe their bills on contaminated branches?) and seem to
develop immunity to further infections.

Dick Cannings
1330 Debeck Road
S11, C96, RR#1
Naramata, BC V0H 1N0
CANADA

(250) 496-4049

----- Original Message -----
From: Eugene Kridler <ekridler at olympus.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 1999 5:50 PM
Subject: Pox in House Finches


> A couple of persons with feeders are observing House Finches with pox
> lesions in various places on their heads. Has anybody else found this
> viral infection on Finches at their feeders. If so, what actions have
> they taken to prevent the spread? Successful?
>
> Pox and avian malaria brought in by introduced birds and transmitted to
> many of the endemic birds of Hawaii by the mosquito (also introduced to
> Hawaii) was one of the reasons causing the extinction of some species
> there..
>
> Eugene Kridler
> Retired Wildlife Biologist
> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
> 951 E. Oak St.
> Sequim, Wa. 98382
>
>