Beauty and the Beast

[LTFT5]

Hi to all.

I do not think this Blue Tit is going to appear on anybody's Garden Birds calendar for next year.
However, could somebody tell me what the bird is suffering from as I will need to disinfect the bird box once its chicks have fledged.
When you compare it to its partner in the last picture it looks in a sorry state.

0X9A0873 by LTFT5, on Flickr

0X9A0877 by LTFT5, on Flickr

0X9A0866 by LTFT5, on Flickr


TIA
All the best
Andy

[Tiger 1]

Hi Andy

This may explain what your Blue Tit is suffering from...

Suttonella ornithocola

It is a form of pneumonia in the birds and causes them to be Lathargic... stop feeding.. fluff up or loose feathers.

It's apparently killing a lot of birds in Germany and as been in the UK since 1990.

I would make sure you protect yourself when cleaning the bird box or feeders.

Hope this helps.

Tim

[LTFT5]

Hi Tim.

Thank you for the information it is much appreciated.
I will make sure the box is disinfected and take down the feeders.
Looks like a face mask and rubber gloves for the cleaning, no different to Covid really

All the best
Andy

[Tiger 1]

Hi Andy... your welcome... be careful.

If you Google it on the Blue Tit problem there is lots of info.

Stay Safe.

Tim

[Fisherking]

Hi Andy, we have had blue manboobs! with the same problem. I was told that it is feather mites which thrive in nest boxes, the birds usually survive and once the birds leave their nest boxes, the mites die off after a few days.
Trevor