House Finch Eye Disease
After posting the identification practice with a house finch that had an eye disease, the bird returned. This time, I had two house finches on the platform. I got the camera to be able to compare the two and turned out with something more interesting. It seems I know have two house finches infected with House Finch Conjunctivitis:
This disease first appeared in wild bird populations in the winter of 1993-94 among house finches on the East Coast. It has since spread rapidly. Although the disease does affect some other species, this is rare. Why it is so prevalent among house finches is unknown, but some speculate it is due to the lack of genetic diversity among house finches in the Eastern Region.
It is characterized by red, swollen or puffy eyes which produce mucous. It can also affect the upper respiratory system. Some birds do survive to become healthy again, but since it effects their vision, it seriously compromises their survival. As the disease progresses, they can become blinded. Affected birds will often be found alone at feeders and may remain near them, subsisting off the dropped seed. They may fly into windows, fall prey to cats and other raptors and may even allow you to get very close to them. Do not try to catch them. Unless you have a special license, it is illegal to handle native songbirds.
If you note evidence of house finch eye disease in the finches visiting your feeder and wish to help, you can sign up to contribute to a research study by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. You can also get more detailed information along with photos from their website.
The disease does appear to cause some discomfort since infected birds will often be seen rubbing their eyes on branches or the sides of feeders. This may help spread the disease. To help minimize the risk to your other birds, practice good sanitation measures.
house finch, eye disease, house finch eye disease, birding, birdwatching, backyard birding
October 29th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I think reporting healthy finches is also important for the Cornell study.
We have seen both House Finches and American Goldfinches with this disease in Northern Illinois, but I have always wondered why it is so prevalent in House Finches.
Interesting post!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Good post! You just motivated me to clean all of my feeders today.-It’s quite a task if you do a thorough job.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I’m so glad I found this post. I recently had a bird with this and thought it was a baby born blind. My kids walked right up to it and it didn’t see them. It’s the first unhealthy one I’ve seen. But, I too, will make sure to clean the areas for them. Great blog. Great resource for us bird lovers!
November 4th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Thank you all!
Yes, you are right, Birdfreak. If you take part in the study, they want you to report all house finches so they can get an accurate report on the percentage of birds affected. I have heard of other birds having it, but am yet to see it. Of course, this is my first time seeing it in any bird!
Thank you, Larry. I was hoping I wasn’t going to have to take down my feeders, but from what I have read, that isn’t really necessary. We’ll see.
Mandy, I’m so glad you found the information helpful! I found out about this last year during FeederWatch because there was a section on the form to tic if we saw one, but I never did until this fall.
I hope it is not a trend that continues.