Subject: [Tweeters] RFI: Paralysis of feeder birds
Date: Jul 22 14:22:17 2009
From: Tyler Hicks - uplandsandpiper at hotmail.com



Tweeters,Hello this morning I found a female House Sparrow incapable of flight at my feeders. It appears that the left side of the bird is paralyzed as she was unable to move her wings, right leg & foot, and her tail was held in a cocked position. The bird can hardly stand but still seems capable of feeding on the spilled seed on the ground. A few hours later a second bird, this one an American Goldfinch is showing exactly the same symptoms. I was wondering if anyone has observed this in their feeder birds in the past. From my research I know a number of things can cause neurological damage including: toxicological effects (pesticides) and ticks. What I don't know is if tick induced paralysis has occurred in Washington. Can birds get palsy? Can window strike cause localized paralysis?Any help or advice would be appreciated. Cheers,Tyler

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Tyler L. Hicks
Ph.D. Candidate Washington State University VancouverE-mail: tyler_hicks at wsu.eduWeb Page: http://thingswithwings.org<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>"We were certainly uncertain. At least, I'm pretty sure I am." - Modest Mouse


_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live? Hotmail?: Search, add, and share the web?s latest sports videos. Check it out.
http://www.windowslive.com/Online/Hotmail/Campaign/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_QA_HM_sports_videos_072009&cat=sports