Has this sparrow got trichomonosis?

[tiadublin]

Hi

I wondered if anyone can tell me if this sparrow has trichomonosis? I noticed it about 2 weeks ago just after a sparrowhawk had been having a look for something underneath the feeders. I then noticed the sparrow hop on the feeding table and started to eat. It wasnt bothered that the hawk was hanging around.
I saw the sparrow again today and it spends most of its time feeding on the ground, with all the other sparrows flying from their tree to the feeders etc. This photo is a couple of weeks old now and it's throat seems to have swollen up a lot more and it's body looks fatter. None of the other birds seem affected and the feeders are clean. If it does have trichomonosis, is there anything that can be done to help it?

Thanks


[url=http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php?photo=117458][/url

[boogle]

hi, i dont know anything about this disease but it seems you are probably correct....i found this for you hope it helps !!!!
boogle !

The RSPB: Advice: Outbreaks of disease in finches and other garden birds

[wildliferescuer]

Couldn't open the picture properly to get a good look but it could possibly be trichomoniasis, although they are usually unable to eat as the throat gets blocked. It could be any number of things so I wouldn't jump to conclusions, especially as this is the only one that seems to be affected.
If you can possibly catch it, a wildlife centre or vet could take a look - if it is trich, it is probably too far advanced to treat, but at least it can be humanely put to sleep & will also lessen the chance of it spreading.

[tiadublin]

Thank you both for your advice. I think i will try and catch it, as not a lot seems to spook it. I'll take it to my local animal shelter and ask for a vet to take a look.

Thanks again.

[posie]

Would you post the result if you do manage to catch it please.

[tiadublin]

Yes definately, i'll keep you posted.

Thanks

[emma4857]

Hi

I have seen a sparrow in my garden doing the same thing it's sits and feeds from the ground, last time it was sat there for a long time and hardly moved it also looks really big and fat. At first I thought it was pregnant as it was that big but don't think they breed this time of year.
All the other birds were feeding from the feeders. I thought there is something wrong with it but didn't know what.

What's the disease you mentioned, how do they get it?

Thanks.

Em.

[david156]

Hi.

Saw this Chaffinch at Strumpshaw fen a couple of weeks back. Would this be a similar type of thimg to what you are all talking about. He was puffed up and looked a good 20% bigger than the other chaffinchs. He moved slowly and was unsteady when he perched. He was also reluctent to fly and wasn't very wary of the bigger birds flapping about.

David.

[tiadublin]

Hi Emma and David

To be honest iam kind of guessing. I had heard of birds getting ill from unclean feeders, other birds faeces etc and this sparrow seemed to fit the bill from it's look. I am puzzled why it's the only bird out of about 20-30 sparrows that live in the trees in my garden and feed daily in there too. It may be that others have had it and have been easy to pick off from the local sparrohawk?

The first time i noticed the sparrow was just after the sparrowhawk had been in the garden. The sparrowhawk was literally inches away from the sparrow but left empty handed. Guessing again, i wondered if the hawk could tell it was unwell and didnt fancy feeding on a bird with a possible infection.

Maybe others with a little more knowledge could shed some light on it?

Paul

[emma4857]

Hi, just in case anyone wondered about the disease you can read more about it on the RSPB website The RSPB: Advice: Outbreaks of disease in finches and other garden birds

Lots of info on there.