Craig,
There have been increasing numbers of reports of birds with beak
deformities in the Pacific North-West of Canada and the USA over the
last 8-10 years. See: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/
landbirds/beak_deformity/index.html
and www.fws.gov/contaminants/OtherDocuments/
Handel_et_al_2006_final_report_smFigures.pdf -
The extent of deformities in species such as Chickadees is amazing.
The number of species reported so far is around 30. There appears to
be a link to PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls).
It would be very interesting to hear from other birders as to whether
similar deformities have been noticed. I certainly will be keeping a
look-out for any in future.
Carl Clifford
On 14/04/2008, at 5:58 PM, wrote:
Just observed a Sulfur Crested Cockatoo with minimal feathers, deformed,
cracked and huge beak, being chased by a cluster of Noisy Miners,
Magpies,
Currawong, Ravens and Butcherbirds. Very disturbing sight I must say,
with
the bird looking so odd with its grey skin visible, bearing very few
feathers at all on the head or body, and with very few on the wings but
presumably just enough to ensure "flight".
At first I thought the bird was a raptor because of size and the
response
of the Noisy Miners in particular: closer examination revealed one very
ill-looking Cockatoo who flew off in the direction of large roosting
colonies of Sulfur Crested Cockatoo and Corella in Blackbutt Reserve at
Kotara, a green forest oasis in a suburb nearby.
Anyone else witnessed/noticed the agitation reaction of other species to
infected Psittacines?
regards
Craig Williams
Newcastle NSW
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