It would appear, for the time being, that this fledgling House finch has escaped the ravages of Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. But for how long?
I attributed my ability to get so close more as a sign of his naivety and inexperience than as telltale evidence of early infection. But there’s no doubt the disease dramatically impairs a finch’s vision. I’ve noted some that can barely find a landing place when they take flight from my feeders. In such a condition, experts say a bird is at great risk of perishing from starvation. All the more reason to keep feeders well stocked for these vulnerable creatures.
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I have heard that this is
I have heard that this is highly contagious to other finches. Some wildlife rehabbers euthanize these birds for that reason, others quarantine and treat. Do you think feeders are places where other birds might become infected? This is in no way an accusation, I am just trying to figure out why we are seeing so much of this in our house finch population.