Dunnock Issue (1 Viewer)

R

Rainbows

New member

• Aug 14, 2011

• #1

Hi

Im new to this forum, so i apologise if ive posted in the wrong section.

This Dunnock has been visiting daily, he seems to be eating well. I was wondering if it was a type of mite affecting him & if theres anything i could do. He also seems to be with a very healthy sparrow family and has asked the male on occasions for food.

 

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Jaff

Registered Member

• Aug 16, 2011

• #2

Hi and welcome to the Forum from all the staff and the mods.

It's quite common for birds to lose a lot of their head feathers during the breeding season. Once he's moulted again he'll be fine ready for next year. I've attached my own pic of a Blue Tit this year who is in need of a wig till his feathers grow back.

 

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Sandra (Taylor)

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #3

Jaff said:

Hi and welcome to the Forum from all the staff and the mods.

It's quite common for birds to lose a lot of their head feathers during the breeding season. Once he's moulted again he'll be fine ready for next year. I've attached my own pic of a Blue Tit this year who is in need of a wig till his feathers grow back.

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Well, we live & learn don't we? If I'd seen that dunnock or blue tit near our house I'd have thought they had a disease and their days were numbered. So glad of this posting Jaff.

Sandra

 

S

screaming piha

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #4

IIRC, that is a likely to be mite infestation. It is common in the summer and especially common with Blackbird and Magpie. Cooler weather sorts out the mites and the feathers grow back. Looks a bit harsh in the mean time!

 

Jaff

Registered Member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #5

Oh I'd thought I'd heard somewhere that it was to do with wear and tear coming in and out of nest box holes. I'm probably the one that's wrong then.

 

JillyH

Active member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #6

Jaff said:

Oh I'd thought I'd heard somewhere that it was to do with wear and tear coming in and out of nest box holes. I'm probably the one that's wrong then.

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No you are right. When they are breeding they spend so much time collecting food and tending young, they have no time for preening and are in and out of nests. They end up looking really scraggy until they moult. :t: