ID for Fungus on Nyger seed

jeremiah · #1 (**permalink**) 31-01-2012, 03:19 PM

This lot were growing on the spill tray of a niger seed feeder.
Any chance of an id? And are there two kinds of fungus, or are the taller ones just the short yellow ones a few days older?

flaxton · #2 (**permalink**) 31-01-2012, 03:45 PM

I think these are a pin mould. See What is this appearing under my bird feeder?
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I am not very "up" in these paticular species but a Mucor sp or Pilaira possibly.

Mal

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 31-01-2012, 06:26 PM

You really shouldn't let the seeds get like this it looks like they have started to sprout and the mould is growing on these the seeds have not been eaten readily enough and will cause diseases in birds if left.

little_auk11 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2012, 04:00 PM

I second what Kayleigh said (if indeed this is your feeder) but must say its an impressive sight never the less! I think i'd have to do a double take if i saw that on my feeder!

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2012, 04:28 PM

Also before you refill the tray give it a good clean with bleach and rinse it well with plenty of clean water..

Niger is not a good seed to put out as the birds tend to leave it.

jeremiah · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2012, 11:46 AM

Flaxton - thank you for very much for the ids. Pilairia looks ok for the yellow one, anyway.

Kayleigh and Little-Auk - no, not my feeder. It was cleaned after the pictures were taken. The goldfinches were loving it until about two days before this lot appeared. They are very messy feeders and probably the spill-tray was a mistake.