Hi,Could anyone suggest what might have happened to this Robin? These photos were taken about a week apart - at the base of his beak on both sides, he lost feathers and developed what look like scabs or small black growths. Could this be some kind of disease? He has now disappeared, not seen since the day the second photo was taken (and was a very tame bird) - whether his disappearance is related to what happened to his beak, I'm not sure. Nothing in his behaviour suggested that he was ill, he was still singing, eating and bringing food to his mate.Thanks in advance Mike
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
No, not the nostril, The growth I'm referring to is at the very base of the beak, about mid-way between the eye and the nostril. I believe the correct term for this part of the beak is the 'gape'.