I went out into the garden this morning to find a dead Greenfinch lying on my lawn. There wasn't a scratch on him, and I don't think he'd been dead for all that long. He was lying a few feet away from the house, and a few feet away (in the other direction) from the nearest feeder. I suppose it's conceivable that he flew into one of the windows, but there aren't any marks on any of the windows (nor on him).
I last cleaned all my feeders about three weeks ago, and did a pretty thorough job or so I thought, but do you think I should do them all again? If it was trichomoniasis, would there have been some sign on the bird?
He was such a beautiful little thing, it was heartbreaking to bury him, and I can't bear the thought that his death might have been my fault.
BB
Hi BB
I wouldn't blame yourself at all, sadly it's a fact of life and it happens. I think there might have been signs if the bird wasn't healthy.
I found a male chaffinch the other day, and I left him on the lawn. He must have been taken by the magpie or something else because he was gone within an hour.
Best wishes Chris
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I wouldnt blame your self as birds with this infection usually show signs of it, usually just an untidy look where the bird hasnt felt well enough to keep its self in good condition. like you said it could have flown into the windo which would have broke its neck or caused internal damage that you woulndt be able to see.
Im sure your feeders are fine especially if you cleaned them, and i take it you clean them every now and then.
It is sad to see them gone, i had a dunnock dead in my garden not to long ago, its such a shame to see such a beautiful thing in that way.
Ne way dont feel bad you are defo doin the right thing by providin for your birds and upsets like this are enevitable especially when birds spend so much time in your garden.
Hi BB,
If he had trichomonias (spelling?!) you would have noticed something wrong more than likely. They tend to be wet around the head and generally out of condition. Did you get a picture of the dead bird?
Please don't worrry or even think it was your fault. You clean your feeders - how many of your neighbours do this? I know none of mine do.
I bet it hit a window or wall - my song thrush who died this way had no marks on her at all and looked perfect. On the other hand, he may just have died having reached the end of his natural life.
Cheers, Linda.
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Sorry to hear about your greenfinch, what a shame.
I'll pretty much be echoing Sparrow here, but here goes...
I did recently have a Collared Dove that it was a pretty safe bet had Trichomoniasis (after consulting with a few people and someone from the RSPB). You can tell by looking at them that they're ill, they don't look in very good condition, tend to have a bit of discharge around their mouths and nose.
Maybe your Greenfinch was just victim of an accident?
Thanks everyone for your kind words and good advice. It's the fist bird death I've ever had in the garden - well, I've woken up to a pile of feathers once or twice, probably due to the foxes, but I've never actually seen a dead bird before.
I did think about taking a picture of him, but somehow it just seemed wrong.
I know it's all part of the circle of life, but I have to admit I did shed some tears as I was digging his little grave, soppy old fool that I am. The birds have sort of become part of the extended family.