Subject: Info. requested on Spotted Towhee obs. at feeder with feathers gone on it head
Date: Jun 14 14:40:01 2002
From: Bruce Moorhead - bruceb at olypen.com


FYI, I observed a male Spotted Towhee this morning below my tube-feeder with
the feathers gone over the entire crown and sides of its head. It otherwise
seemed in OK health, did not appear lethargic, and was eating discarded
sunflower seeds on the ground just below the tube-feeder when observed. Any
information (or contacts) about what such feather loss might indicate be
would be appreciated; e.g., scabies mites? Also, anything about its
occurrence and incidence rate. I've not observed such feather loss before in
any other birds using the feeder. Other species at the feeder at about the
same included: Black-headed Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, White-crowned
Sparrows, House Finches, R-Br Nuthatches, and Ch-B Chickadees. The feeder
contains unwashed, black-oil sunflower seeds. A few minutes later, I also
observed another male Spotted Towhee which had no sign of feather loss, etc.
I've cleaned and disinfected the feeder in the past month.

Bruce Moorhead
Port Angeles, WA
bruceb at olypen.com