Subject: [Tweeters] song sparrow foot abnormalities
Date: Apr 6 12:03:33 2008
From: Cecy Dubonsky - pcaloha at comcast.net


song sparrow foot abnormalitiesCathy:
I believe what the birds have is avian pox. Left untreated it continues to grow. It also gets into their mouths and eventually they die of it. The only thing that I know will cure this is Ivermectin (pig or horse dewormer). I would check with Cornell University back east or check with the U of W. I think I would also take down my feeders because if this is avian pox it is contagious. Clean and disinfect your feeders.
Ivermectin comes in powder form as well as liquid and with the right ratios you could put it into the feeders and their water supply. Most feed stores like Del's Feed carry this. It is very powerful and you do not want this on your skin. Read the instructions very carefully.
Let us know what you find out.
P.S. I have raised birds for over 20 years and this disease occurs in finches and canaries a lot.
Cecy DuBonsky
pcaloha at comcast.net
Kent,WA
253-653-1272
----- Original Message -----
From: Cathie Conolly
To: Tweeters at mailman1.u.washington.edu
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 11:24 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] song sparrow foot abnormalities




Tweeters-

I have posted several photographs of a song sparrow that has been visiting my feeder in Seattle for the last three weeks or so with foot abnormalities. (see: http://web.mac.com/catherineconolly/iWeb/Site/Birds.html) I have been able to get a better look at these growths with my binoculars, and they appear as light tan "fingers" that extend up and out from the feet and legs. They appear fleshy or scaly. I have looked on the web for possibilities, and have not found the description of any abnormality that fits this bird. I have noted a second song sparrow that has a small area on one leg that may be this abnormality as well; I have looked carefully to see if any other birds visiting the feeder have any of this abnormality, and none but the two song sparrows have any foot problems. I currently have juncos, white-crowned and golden-crowned, and fox sparrows among other feeder visitors.

If you have any knowledge of this condition, or if you have suggestions about who I might contact about this question, please let me know.

thanks, Cathie
206 789 9658
catherineconolly at mac.com



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