Dunnock

[BloomingMarvellous]

This little chaps been hanging around the garden for the past few days, at first when I saw him I thought it was injured. Then I thought, is it just a fledgling.

I've seen it fly short distances only and landing in small bushes rather than tree's. There are two other Dunnocks that seem to be keeping their eye on it and call to it when I'm approaching it as it doesn't seem to notice I'm there. It's not really doing what Dunnocks do, it's constantly on the ground, feeding, and looks a bit odd.

Could it be deaf?

[artdemole]

Dunnock in my garden always feeds on ground,Hides away under shrubs when disturbed.Around most days.

[Harold Smith]

I have a pair of Dunnock permanently in my garden. They frequently scavenge on the ground. However, they never go far from a thick cotoneaster shrub by the garden fence. Any disturbance or sign of potential threat they are in the shrub in an instance. To ensure they get a fair crack at the food I put down I occasionally throw a handful of dried mealworms into the base of the cotoneaster. When I do that they hardly venture away from it.

Harold.

[Morph]

This bird is ill, not sure if Finch Virus (trichomoniasis) affects Dunnocks, lists cover Finches, Doves, Pigeons, House Saprrows and some birds of prey, but the symptoms look the same.

[valleyforge]

As Morph says, the dunnock is certainly showing classic signs of severe illness ... feathers puffed-up, lethargy, not alert to signs of danger, flying only short distances if at all.

Trichomoniasis is a possibility, but the same symptoms are displayed for many other conditions too, some of which are often wrongly diagnosed as trich.

As it is the bird has probably little chance of surviving if left alone. Many avian illnesses (including trichomoniasis) can be successfully, and quite easily, treated if caught in sufficient time, but you would need to get the bird to a veterinarian with specialist avian experience, or to a wildlife rescue group who may know of/have had dealings with a suitable vet.

The problem as always, I'm afraid, is that by the time the bird can be easily caught, it may be already too late for successful treatment.

If you let us know whereabouts in the country you are, we may be able to put you in touch with a suitable contact in your area.

As you have adequately shown however BloomingMarvelous, the first step in being able to help wildlife (if indeed that's what you have a mind to do) is in recognizing when something is not quite as it should be.

[BloomingMarvellous]

I'm away for the next 5 day's, so there's really very little I can do. However I have left clear instructions for my Son to make sure he feeds this little Dunnock daily, which I'm sure he will.

I'm amazed it has this disease, it looks quite happy in a bird sort of way. Thanks for your replies.

[Tracey.A]

These are ground feeding birds and they always prefer low bushes to trees. I tend to think that he is illl, because he should flee when you approach. It does sound ill as valleyforge said. If you have feeders in your garden i'd give them a good clean, because if Trichomoniasis is suspected other birds could become affected.

Tracey

[KAZUYADOG]

I saw a sparrow with they same sort of demeanor (sp) the other day,i have'nt seen it since.

I also used to have 2 dunnocks,they are'nt here anymore both became food for the resident sparrowhawk.

I miss those dunnocks always hoping about around the bush fringe line,i used to call one pink longs legs.