Today I spent the day ringing in my garden and managed to catch 49 new birds which unfortunately contained two birds showing signs of avain pox. Surprisingly, they weren't the normal Great Tits that I have caught over the last couple of years, but a Coal Tit and a Dunnock. Birds with avian pox are identified by unsightly scabby growths generally around the head, but sometimes on the legs, feet or wings and so far they have all been first year birds. Whether this is because birds don't manage to survive or whether they grow out of it is unknown.
The Coal Tit (above) had growths on its chin, which seems to be the most common place, and right cheek.
The Dunnock was more stricken with growths on the chin, around the left eye (above) and on the feet (below).
Birds ringed:
Chaffinch - 1
Dunnock - 2
Coal Tit - 2
Great Tit - 9
Blue Tit - 26
Robin - 1
Treecreeper - 1
Nuthatch - 1
Greenfinch - 6
The Coal Tit (above) had growths on its chin, which seems to be the most common place, and right cheek.
The Dunnock was more stricken with growths on the chin, around the left eye (above) and on the feet (below).
Birds ringed:
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