I have a couple of tufted titmouses that come to my feeder regularly. Recently I've noticed that one of them is pecking at his feet all the time. I assume that he has some kind of mites or something and there is nothing I can do, but I wanted to see if there maybe was something I could add to the feed or something. He looks miserable and I feel bad for him.
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Tufted Titmouse feet (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter diana51
- Start date
Thanks for the welcome! I don't think there is a seed since I have observed it a number of times over a couple of days. Today I saw a chickadee doing the same pecking so I'm worried that my bird feeder might be somehow spreading something.
Hi Diana,
As mentioned, both Chickadees and Titmice often hold onto a morsel of food with their feet and peck at it.
That said, there is lots of evidence that feeders can be a rampant source of infection, with eye infections the most common. Bumblefoot is also a result of an infection, but I do not know if feeders are a factor.
It might be well to to give your feeder a thorough disinfection ( a bleach wash will do fine). You will be more comfortable knowing that you're not helping spread anything and the birds will have a safer feeder.
As mentioned, both Chickadees and Titmice often hold onto a morsel of food with their feet and peck at it.
That said, there is lots of evidence that feeders can be a rampant source of infection, with eye infections the most common. Bumblefoot is also a result of an infection, but I do not know if feeders are a factor.
It might be well to to give your feeder a thorough disinfection ( a bleach wash will do fine). You will be more comfortable knowing that you're not helping spread anything and the birds will have a safer feeder.
Yeah I would just bleach the feeder just so your mind can be at ease. But I have also seen this behavior at the feeders we have set up over our back porch. I thought something was wrong too until I was able to get a good close up and see that the little guy actually did have this tiny seed in his toes! So cute.
lilcrazy2
Well-known member
The titmice are definitely pecking to break the seed husk in their feet, as this is what they do. I have a portable clothesline in the back with metal poles from which I have hung several feeders, and the titmice constantly grab the seed from the feeders and jump on the metal pole and peck the seed open. I could see where it might look like they are pecking at their feet, but this is the normal way they eat. The chickaddes do this also, but is is most noticeable with the titmice.
Enjoy the show
Enjoy the show
woodpeckerwacko
2013 WSoB or Bust
They're definetly holding seeds between their feet and cracking them open with their beaks. I've seen this very many times myself.
I can't even think of a disease that would warrant this behavior.
I can't even think of a disease that would warrant this behavior.
