Three small birds using the birdtable have seriously nastey growths for the size of bird. The blue tit has a knee joint growth, and two great tits have them on their heads, one blocking its vision on one side. Is it just in this area of Betchworth, Am I doing the right thing feeding them nuts and fat with seed so as to help keep them strong n' warm? wendy
Hello Wendy, you will find that this has been discussed in great detail on page 2 of Wildlife Questions under the heading 'What is wrong with this Bird'. Hope this helps, it is so worrying to watch.
Brenda. thankyou for your reply, The photo shows the same kind of growth on the great tits around here. Betchworth is near Gatwick area. So the least I can do is to feed/water the poor birds then? wendy.
Unknown said: Hello Wendy, you will find that this has been discussed in great detail on page 2 of Wildlife Questions under the heading 'What is wrong with this Bird'. Hope this helps, it is so worrying to watch.
Wendy, good to hear from you. I think if you follow the advice from ValO and Trochilus (RSPB) you can't go wrong. Just remember to keep all your feeders clean. It seems that some of the growths are thought to be a strain of Avian Pox Virus and some birds can recover, but if you ever see the birds with a mucas around their mouth, they cannot eat and it is advised that we stop all feeding and remove feeders untill you see no sign of the Pox. My sister- in-law has had a bird with a growth on it's face for over a year and it seems to be quite happy although it is disturbing to see. Best wishes.