Tatty Goldcrest - just tired, or ill? (1 Viewer)

Jonno52

John (a bad birdwatcher)

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2018

• #1

This bird looks in a bad state. I'm wondering if it is just in poor condition from having incessant hungry mouths to feed, or if it's showing signs of an avian disease.

The photo was taken on 15 June. The bird was behaving normally as far as I could see. There's another image of the same bird here.

All observations gratefully received.

Thank you

 

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KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2018

• #2

Possibly a worn out parent John?

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Jun 18, 2018

• #3

KC Foggin said:

Possibly a worn out parent John?

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My thought too!

 

Jonno52

John (a bad birdwatcher)

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2018

• #4

KC Foggin said:

Possibly a worn out parent John?

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This is certainly what I'm hoping KC, as it's a happier thought than disease. Though I guess the chances of this bird recovering enough to breed next year are remote. And of course the natural lifespan of a tiny species like this is pretty short. Regardless, this unfortunate bird is not a pretty sight, and no candidate for the Gallery (I'm hoping to start posting to there again soon, BTW. Eye discomfort is the problem as usual).

Anyway, thanks very much for your reply, and best wishes.

 

Jonno52

John (a bad birdwatcher)

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2018

• #5

aeshna5 said:

My thought too!

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Thanks very much for that - see my reply to KC.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jun 18, 2018

• #6

Jonno52 said:

Though I guess the chances of this bird recovering enough to breed next year are remote. And of course the natural lifespan of a tiny species like this is pretty short.

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Longer than you might think! They've been known to live to 5 years, though its true that the average is a lot less than that.

This bird will look fine once it has fledged its young and moulted in some new feathers over the next month or so.

 

jape

Well-known member

• Jun 18, 2018

• #7

i think the droopy mouth coupled with the bent eyebrow makes it look worse than it hopefully is! almost human expreession of weariness.

i wonder why the wing looks so droopy? i have a dunnock the same and thought that was because of the loony wing waving they do at each other but now a blackbird mum looks the same. perhaps it comes from being scrunched up while brooding. i hope your goldcrest soon recovers, they are usually pretty perky round here chasing flies like humming birds.

 

Jonno52

John (a bad birdwatcher)

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2018

• #8

Nutcracker said:

Longer than you might think! They've been known to live to 5 years, though its true that the average is a lot less than that.

This bird will look fine once it has fledged its young and moulted in some new feathers over the next month or so.

Click to expand...

Excellent news Nutty, thanks for that. I was assuming an average lifespan of maybe 18 months to two years, so it's interesting to learn they can last longer.

 

Jonno52

John (a bad birdwatcher)

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2018

• #9

jape said:

i think the droopy mouth coupled with the bent eyebrow makes it look worse than it hopefully is! almost human expreession of weariness

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You're right about the "droopy mouth" making Goldcrests look (oh dear) "crestfallen". Like this one I posted in the Gallery ages ago with a suitable caption.

I don't know about the droopy wing, hopefully it was just having a good stretch. It was able to fly normally as far as I could make out.

Anyway cheers, all the best.

 

Last edited: Jun 18, 2018

jape

Well-known member

• Jun 18, 2018

• #10

and this one from a couple of days ago [https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/605978/limit/recent
certainly shows grumpy
but also how a less tatty one can look!