What is wrong with this bird?

Question

Hi All 
 We have a bird which comes to the feeder and it has something wrong with its face.I am not sure if I am allowed to put a photo of it on this website so people can see it and tell me what is wrong. 
 It looks like a growth or sore which covers one eye. 
 If I am allowed to post a photo I will.So if someone will say if its OK because I dont want to offend. 
 Thanks 
 Jane

ValO · Answer

My first thoughts, on seeing your picture of this poor great tit ,was that these growths were caused by the avian pox virus. Reddish growths around the face, and sometimes the legs ,are classic symptons more common than respiratory problems which can also be caused by this virus. Avian pox does seem to have been ruled out in the scanned article but I'm not sure why - perhaps I missed that bit so will read it again. Unfortunately avian pox is highly contagious so good hygiene around feeders and bird baths is particularly important. You are already supplying nutritious food so keep that up but there is not really much else that can be done. 
 A belated welcome to the site by the way.

Kobie · Answer

Hi All 
 I emailed Richard Broughton who is doing the study on these lesions and here is his reply. 
Hi Jane, Many thanks - that certainly looks like the same thing. It's a first-winter bird too, so the same age as all the rest. I've had a small handful of reports now (all in the south/east), so at least I now know it's not something particular to the woods of NW Cambridgeshire. I've also had a photo of a Dunnock and a Blackbird with what might be the same thing, but it was harder to tell with those. No sign of it on a Blue Tit yet, however, which is the oddest thing. Regards, Richard Richard K Broughton