Blue tit with grossly deformed beak

Ericbat · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 07:24 PM

For some time now I have been aware that a bluetit which visits my feeders
on a regular basis has a very significant abnormality.
After studying it for some time and having taken various photographs (some
should be attached) I think it has had a major overgrowth of its lower bill which has deviated upwards and to the left. It has some difficulty getting its
head into the seed feeder but is very adept at holding seeds or nuts with
its right foot and bending its head to the side to break up the food
before consuming it. It is not starving.

Any thoughts.

Eric

2dogs2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 07:41 PM

Hi Eric welcome to WAB. There have been a few birds on here with deformed beaks and somehow they manage to adapt quite well, as you have seen.

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 07:51 PM

Evening Eric, and welcome to WAB!

Some are here (and others surround them in the Gallery):

To post a photo Eric, just paste the 'Forum Code' from below your image on the page you upload it to, into your message.

I think he should be OK, he looks healthy enough and has obviously adapted his feeding habits accordingly. I haven't seen such a deformed beak though, and there have been other postings along these lines in the past. At least only one is ike it!

Just keep the feeder going!

Take care,

Jason