Hi birders,
While doing some work with Superb Lyrebirds last year here in the
Blue Mountains, I noticed that some of them were suffering from an
unsightly leg condition which, as it turns out, is probably due to
Knemidocoptes mites. Most of the birds with the condition were
immatures. I would like to get an idea of how widespread this
condition is and whether it's a normal part of most lyrebird
populations, or not. Transmission is only by direct contact between
birds so it's likely to be more concentrated where there are high
densities of lyrebirds. I know that it does also occur in the
lyrebirds at Sherbrooke Forest (Victoria) and has been identified
there as the mite Knemidocoptes intermedius.
With winter approaching and lyrebirds becoming more prominent, can I
ask that if anyone sees a lyrebird with a similar leg condition to
let me know the location, etc. The condition is quite obvious in the
field, looking like a pale scaly growth on all or part of the legs. I
can send a photo to anyone who's interested.
Thanks.
Carol
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Carol Probets
Guided birding in the Blue Mountains & Capertee Valley
PO Box 330
Katoomba NSW 2780
Web: http://www.bmbirding.com.au
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