Poorly Blue Tit (1 Viewer)

[delia todd]

There's been a Blue Tit coming to my window feeder today and he's blown up to twice the size of a normal one.

A short while ago I found him asleep and breathing very fast in the feeder, got really close to him to take a picture and he never moved.

He's now crept underneath the narrow window ledge and is clinging on there, still with fast breathing.

Anyone any ideas what might be wrong with him?

 

[KC Foggin]

Well, he definitely sounds sick from your narrative. Anyone from RSPB that can come out and get it for you?

 

[PYRTLE]

Most unlikely. They are more to do with conservation, protection and studying of birds. Only realistic route would be a wildlife rescue centre if one can be found nearby.

 

[Nutcracker]

And disinfect the feeder afterwards too, to stop whatever disease it has from spreading :t:

 

[delia todd]

Sadly the guy died in the night.

I phoned the SPCA Wildlife centre this morning and there are no known diseases of tits in this area. They suggested I keep an eye on the others to see if there's any more occurrences. They do display that behaviour if they've been injured in any way, to make themselves look much bigger and braver.

 

[Jos Stratford]

They do display that behaviour if they've been injured in any way, to make themselves look much bigger and braver.

I would guess the puffing up is more due to the bird being cold due to illness and trying to maintain warmth. When it gets down to minus 20 and less out here, virtually all the Blue Tits and Great Tits do this - like pom poms on legs.

 

[delia todd]

Cheers Jos..... certainly not that cold here - mid/top teens in temperature and he was sitting in a sunny spot too.

It was odd that he perked up every half hour or so to start eating again.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Cheers Jos..... certainly not that cold here - mid/top teens in temperature and he was sitting in a sunny spot too.

It was odd that he perked up every half hour or so to start eating again.

But when ill, can feel cold regardless of actual temperature. I remember having malaria...

 

[Jos Stratford]

Just to clarify however, I did not puff up like a pom pom when I had malaria

 

[delia todd]

3

Shame.... I'd like to have seen that Jos.