Nicci,
I asked one of our local WIRES carers about this. The closest thing she has
seen to this is the Pox virus which manifests as a growth on the foot and
around the eyes. She has seen this on Magpies and White-winged Choughs and
in those cases the growth was a dark red/grey colour. She said she treats
it with Betadene (of course these were birds in captivity). I believe
there are several strains of avian pox.
There is also a fungal infection called Bumblefoot which she has seen as a
grey coloured growth, usually under the foot.
If Maria finds another dead bird, perhaps she could arrange for someone to
take it to an avian vet, a university or perhaps a National Parks office
for a more definite identification of the problem.
Regards,
Carol
Carol Probets
Katoomba NSW
---------
Nicci Thompson wrote:
> I hope someone out there in birding-aus land may be able to help. I
>am involved with the Birds Australia Atlas Project and on Friday received
>the following note with Maria's record forms. I quote: "SUPERB WRENS:
>The family of wrens living in my garden are not in good health. Some of
>the females have a kind of orange growth on their toes. At present, in
>the family of 11 females and 1 male, there are 4 showing the growth. I
>found one dead on the lawn and was able to inspect the growth at close
>quarters. It was almost as big as a 5c coing and this bird had
>difficulties in flying. There was also some signs on the back of the
>leg joint. The big growth looked similar to a flower corm in shape.
>Most of these growths are on the fore toes. Question: Could it be
>inbreeding or is it caused by a virus? Maybe insecticides! Any
>suggestions you could come up with would be appreciated. Maria V."
>I can't help Maria. She doesn't enjoy good health and is virtually
>confined to her house and garden and is very observant of the birds that
>visit. She lives right on the banks of the McIntyre Brook about 10 kms
>west of Inglewood in south-east Queensland. If you do know or can guess
>what the problem is would you reply to me so I can pass your responses
>onto Maria. She is not on email. Thanks in anticipation'
Nicci Thompson Toowoomba, SE Queensland.
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