FighterControl

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

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

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

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

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

Stay Safe.

Tim

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