| Trichomonosis
BTO's Bird Table magazine, Autumn issue, which arrived this morning highlights the problems with Trichomonosis. This disease caused by a single celled protozoan parasite is infecting Greenfinches and thought to be causing the reduction in numbers reported in UK gardens.
The last couple of days we have seen a Chaffinch displaying similar sympoms of lesions around the face, sitting all puffed up and behaving lethargically. It has been eating constantly but it appears to be filling its crop but not being able to swallow.
Is this parasite affecting Chaffinches as well? What steps can we take to ensure our bird tables, baths and feeders are clear of the parasite to avoid doing harm by attracting birds to our gardens. |