[SBB] Finch eye disease--common?

[CandiceBasham <[[email protected]]>]

I saw a house finch at my feeder several times today with what looked  
like a tumor growing from its crop  and an encrusted, completely  
closed eye. The other eye looks almost normal.  This bird probably  
has  Finch eye disease, although I'm not sure about the "tumor." I  
believe the protocol is to remove my feeder (I have one large  
squirrel-proof feeder) so that other birds won't be infected, and if  
I could capture the sick finch, have it humanely euthanized.

  I did sterilize the feeder (I believe that the Cornell site said to  
remove the feeder if more than one infected bird is sited), but I  
think I should remove the feeder tomorrow morning for a week or so.  
The only birds at the feeder other than House Finches and Sparrows  
are Chestnut-backed Chickadees. White-crowned sparrows and a few  
Mourning Doves sweep up scattered seed.

Is Finch eye disease common here now? I knew that it was prevalent in  
the East Coast and moved westward but that our finches are hardier  
since they come from a more diverse gene pool.

Thanks,

Candice



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