The bird died overnight, so I was able to get a closer look at it this
morning (with nitrile gloves on, of course). Its crop was completely full
and greatly distended. The "sealed" left eye was oozing clear liquid. Those
while spots on its head were feathers that had not yet "opened," whatever
the proper term for that is.

Whatever killed this bird seems to have blocked its throat and prevented it
from swallowing food. I will disinfect my two bird baths, because I found
the Junco on the ground under one of them this morning. Since we have so
many ground-feeding birds here, I often scatter seed throughout the back
yard. The Juncos that visit our yard do not use the feeders on the pole.



Amy Hill

Kalama, Washington



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of A & S Hill
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 9:17 PM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Gruesome Dark-eyed Junco



We have a very sick Dark-eyed Junco in our backyard. I have seen it for
three days now. It's completely deaf; one eye is sealed shut. Friday
afternoon I nearly stepped on it because it didn't hear me coming. I've
never seen anything so gruesome in my life. Pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artlessfun/

Warning, they are gross.

Does anyone know what may be wrong with this bird. At first, I thought it
may have ticks, but that seems unlikely. Those protrusions on either side of
its head appear to be its ears swelling out from under the auriculars. I
doubt it will survive the night.

Any thoughts?



Amy Hill

Kalama, Washington

628ft up in Cowlitz County

60stops2home at kalama dot com

artlessfun at yahoo dot com