Bullfinch (m)
This guy doesn't seem to be enjoying the best of health around his eye and bill. Hopefully it's not Trichomoniasis which causes lesions in the throat and makes it progressively harder for the bird to eat or drink. It can be fatal, but not always. It caused the rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population from 2005/06 and this winter has apparently seen a renewed increase in the reports of birds suffering from this disease.
Although Greenfinch and Chaffinch are most likely to be affected, other garden birds such as Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch and House Sparrow are also susceptible.
Apparently, the transmission of infection between birds is most likely to be feeding one another with regurgitated food during the breeding season or through food or drinking water contaminated from an infected bird.
This last point serves as a timely reminder for all of us to do what we can to help reduce the spread of this horrible disease by cleaning and disinfecting our garden feeders on a regular basis - once a week or fortnight is recommended. I clean mine quite regularly but I'm now determined to clean them at least once a fortnight.
There's lots more information on Trichomoniasis (and other bird diseases) and helpful advice on good hygiene practice on the RSPB's and BTO's websites if anyone is interested.
Taken at RSPB Old Moor.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
Bullfinch (m)
This guy doesn't seem to be enjoying the best of health around his eye and bill. Hopefully it's not Trichomoniasis which causes lesions in the throat and makes it progressively harder for the bird to eat or drink. It can be fatal, but not always. It caused the rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population from 2005/06 and this winter has apparently seen a renewed increase in the reports of birds suffering from this disease.
Although Greenfinch and Chaffinch are most likely to be affected, other garden birds such as Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch and House Sparrow are also susceptible.
Apparently, the transmission of infection between birds is most likely to be feeding one another with regurgitated food during the breeding season or through food or drinking water contaminated from an infected bird.
This last point serves as a timely reminder for all of us to do what we can to help reduce the spread of this horrible disease by cleaning and disinfecting our garden feeders on a regular basis - once a week or fortnight is recommended. I clean mine quite regularly but I'm now determined to clean them at least once a fortnight.
There's lots more information on Trichomoniasis (and other bird diseases) and helpful advice on good hygiene practice on the RSPB's and BTO's websites if anyone is interested.
Taken at RSPB Old Moor.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.