LanceM 12 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Folks, I came across this Goldfinch eating on the ground this morning in Wilmington NC. Of the 30 or so eating at my feeders, this was the only one that looked like this. I've seen birds sitting in trees puffing up, but never while they are eating. Could she be full of eggs or just pleasantly plump? Thanks, Lance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,170 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 If a bird is puffed up and not moving much it usually means it's sick. No eggs right now; goldfinches breed in late summer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Leukering 3,370 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 American Goldfinches do not begin nesting until July or so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Candydez12 86 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 13 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: If a bird is puffed up and not moving much it usually means it's sick. No eggs right now; goldfinches breed in late summer. Oh that is good to know. 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelLong 497 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I would say take down the feeders, if one bird is sick 30 more might follow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PaulK 636 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 12 minutes ago, MichaelLong said: I would say take down the feeders, if one bird is sick 30 more might follow Agreed. Please see the attachment here for more information. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Spencer 3,786 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 1 hour ago, The Bird Nuts said: If a bird is puffed up and not moving much it usually means it's sick. No eggs right now; goldfinches breed in late summer. Respectfully, the OP didn't say the bird wasn't moving. In fact, it was eating. I think we may be jumping to a conclusion with insufficient evidence. @LanceM, other than being fluffy, did the bird show any other unusual behaviors? Was it sluggish? Did it spend long periods not moving (several minutes or more)? Did it let you approach unusually close? If something startled the other birds, did this one leave with them or remain behind? Thanks! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,170 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Just now, Charlie Spencer said: Respectfully, the OP didn't say the bird wasn't moving. In fact, it was eating. I think we may be jumping to a conclusion with insufficient evidence. Sorry, you're right. The photo looked as though the OP was able to get pretty close and the bird's eyes are partially-closed, so I assumed it was sluggish. I should have asked. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceM 12 Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 I will continue to observe closely for a few more days and post any new observations. Lance 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceM 12 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 Here are some more pictures from this morning. Definitely acting like all the other Goldfinches. Lance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceM 12 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 6 minutes ago, LanceM said: Here are some more pictures from this morning. Definitely acting like all the other Goldfinches. Lance Trichomonosis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,170 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Even though it's acting normally it doesn't look well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceM 12 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 It appears to have Finch Trichomonosis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bird Nuts 5,170 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Huh, never heard of that disease. But it's probably best to take the feeders down for a while and disinfect them before you put them back up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceM 12 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/wildlife-garden-videos/finches-with-typical-trichomonosis-or-fat-finch-disease-symptoms/ I have hundreds of birds of over 25 species visit my feeders each day. How do I know this bird got it from my feeder? Why don't I just eliminate this bird? Seems like a draconian measure for something that may not be a problem. Just thinking out loud. Lance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 1,945 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 14 minutes ago, LanceM said: https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/wildlife-garden-videos/finches-with-typical-trichomonosis-or-fat-finch-disease-symptoms/ I have hundreds of birds of over 25 species visit my feeders each day. How do I know this bird got it from my feeder? Why don't I just eliminate this bird? Seems like a draconian measure for something that may not be a problem. Just thinking out loud. Lance It’s not that this bird necessarily got it from your feeder, it’s just that a feeder puts the birds at risk of contracting the disease from other birds from the close contact. Gotta make them social distance for a while. Cleaning the feeders also helps deter another breakout in the future if any of the bacteria/virus/whatever happens to lay dormant. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Spencer 3,786 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 6 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said: Even though it's acting normally it doesn't look well. Yeah, even I'm convinced now. It shouldn't look like that for multiple days. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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