Unusual growth on Med Gulls (1 Viewer)

[Mark Newsome]

Any idea what this growth is on these Med Gulls? One photo taken on 3 August and one on 11 November, but could be the same bird involved. I have also seen photos of a Black-headed Gull with an almost identical attachment (in Norway). I've never noticed it myself on any gull species previously, so presumably it must be fairly uncommon.

Any ideas what causes it and if it continues to grow?

Mark

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

Is it a growth or a worm-like parasite?

 

[nickderry]

or is it an injury causing the tongue to protrude?

 

[Mark Newsome]

Is it a growth or a worm-like parasite?

I never got the impression the appendage was moving, like a parasite. I would have also thought it odd that a parasite would be part outside the body. But if the photos are of the same bird, it has clearly grown/changed shape.
Here's the photo of a Black-headed Gull with the same condition, taken by Adam Williams at Roker on 31 August. When I tracked down the ringing details for this bird, the image of the bird in the hand at the time of ringing (May 2009) showed it as present then. So I guess its not something in the water in the Roker/Whitburn area...

Maybe someone who rings gulls on a regular basis could have the answer.

Mark

 

[fugl]

Very strange. I've never seen anything like it on North American gulls & haven't a clue what it is.

 

[nickderry]

http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/120578494
http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/gull-franklins-anomoly.htm

I knew I'd seen this somewhere before and that it was the bird's tongue. The base of a bird's lower mandible is not always well attached to the skin - I remember discovering this on a captive cockatoo, it seems this problem happens quite regularly with gulls.

 

[Mark Newsome]

Amazing! Thanks for the answers. I really hadn't considered the birds tongue.

Mark

 

[Brian Bullough]

Fascinating to have photographs of two birds with the same condition ,but how can they function effectively with the tongue as it were trapped , I tried to swallow while holding my tongue (literally not metaphorically ) and it is very difficult, swallowing food and water you would think would be impossible !!
I must check gulls more closely
Brian

 

[Adam W]

Very interesting, I really should take more notice of my own photo's i hadnt even noticed.
I can see especially in the Med Gull pics that it could be the tongue but as Brian said you would think that would make it very difficult for them to survive.

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

I guess I should have said my reply was tongue in cheek!

 

[Brian Bullough]

http://birds.ecoport.org/Identification/EBtongue.htm
The tongues of birds .

http://www.springerlink.com/content/tk32773737014681/

Indeed this seems more widespread than first thought ,so if seen again you could point out that the bird has an "oral fistula with protruding tongue " ,but as yet I can't find out how the birds are affected.
Brian

 

[seggs]

Heres a couple of shots from September 24th of the Med. gull at Whitburn. Thanks for the tip off Brian about this thread.:t:

 

[halftwo]

I've seen a Mallard with this condition.

 

[Strandman]

interesting discussion here about its appearance in up to 10% of adult NZ Stitchbirds and possibility that at that level it might be a sign of inbreeding


http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_48_4_241.pdf