I posted a picture of a one eyed finch several months ago, and the general
consensus on the list here was that it was a trauma related injury.



Within the past few weeks my worst fears have been realized, as almost all
of the House/Purple finches that I see on a daily basis (easily 10+
individual finches) seem to be affected with conjunctivitis. It seems to
have spread very quickly - I recall seeing one, maybe two birds with it
about a week ago, but now they all have it in one or both eyes. It doesn't
seem to be affecting the chickadees, Juncos, nuthatches and so on that are
part of our regular "feeder flock". It seemed that the male finches
contracted it first; the females are just beginning to get it.



I live in a fairly remote area (several wooded acres between houses out
here), so it is disturbing to say the least. Of course I can't know for
sure, but I think that these finches are extremely local and breed and live
here on or near my property year round.



Has anyone else seen this in the Puget Sound area? Most of the information
on the web seems to indicate that this disease is primarily on the east
coast. I read that this is a common respiratory ailment in poultry - one of
our neighbors has begun keeping chickens within the past few months (at
least by the rooster sounds I hear through the woods), I wonder if it is
related?



Also what should my next steps be? I've signed up for the "House Finch
Disease Survey" found here:



http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/index.html



What about the feeders? I have one black oil sunflower seed feeder, a
double suet feeder and a millet feeder. The Cornell site is somewhat
ambiguous as to whether to just pay extra close attention cleaning them, or
to stop feeding all together.



As fellow bird lovers and enthusiasts, I am sure you can understand how
heartbreaking this is to see. Any suggestions and advice would be greatly
appreciated.



-Jamie Samans

Fall City