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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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