House Finch - Avian Pox ? (1 Viewer)

[Inapickle]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum.
Yesterday I observed this House Finch on one of my finch feeders (serving Canola seed) with a dark lump on the top of it's beak.

House Finch - Avian Pox ?

Of course I'm wondering if this could be Avian Pox ? I'd read, somewhere, that lumps like this can be due accumulation of plant latex, which hardens, but I want to be sure. Needless to say, I have taken down the feeder and disinfected it as a precaution.

Live just outside Montreal.

Cheers.

 

[njlarsen]

Welcome to Birdforum!

I have seen loss of an eye or clump-foot attributed to infection, but not something similar to this. Others might know more. The way it chases other birds away might indicate it feels well?

Niels

 

[Inapickle]

Thank-you
It didn't seem impaired and definitely held its own on the feeder.
What got me wondering if it might be Avian Pox were images like these:

 

[Inapickle]

I'd read, somewhere, that lumps like this can be due accumulation of plant latex, which hardens, but I want to be sure. Needless to say, I have taken down the feeder and disinfected it as a precaution.

Actually, where I had read that was here on the Bird Forum:

Finch That Comes to My Feeder has Bump on Beak--Question

Anyhow, following the Cornell Labs recommendation:

“If you see one or two diseased birds” (as is more common with conjunctivitis or avian pox): Take down your feeders and clean them with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach and 9 parts water). Let them dry completely and then re-hang them.”

Having disinfected the feeder, I've hung it back up on my deck, away from my Nyjer feeders, so I can monitor it more closely.

 

[njlarsen]

Actually, where I had read that was here on the Bird Forum:

Finch That Comes to My Feeder has Bump on Beak--Question

Anyhow, following the Cornell Labs recommendation:

“If you see one or two diseased birds” (as is more common with conjunctivitis or avian pox): Take down your feeders and clean them with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach and 9 parts water). Let them dry completely and then re-hang them.”

Having disinfected the feeder, I've hung it back up on my deck, away from my Nyjer feeders, so I can monitor it more closely.

Well done!
Niels