Chaffinches

[lilyanne]

I have three or four chaffinches with very thick ,white, deformed feet ,that feed ain my garden . They have difficulty perching and get around on the ground by fluttering their wings . The winter has been hard for them .Has anyone else seen similar ?

[Maydup]

I saw this reply elsewhere on the internet and thought it might be relevant....

sounds as though it could be the condition known as Chaffinch Viral Papilloma (CVP).

CVP is thought to affect around 1% of the chaffinch population at any given time and can affect both sexes. Cases usually occur in clusters and quite high proportions of local populations may be affected in outbreaks.

As you've seen, the disease causes wart-like growths on the foot or tarsometatarsus (the bare part of the leg) and usually, but not always, only one leg is affected. The growths vary from small nodules to large irregular shaped and deeply-fissured masses which almost engulf the entire lower leg and foot and which can distort the toes. Affected birds usually seem in otherwise good health but some may show signs of lameness and hop mainly on the unaffected foot and digits may be lost. The warts, similar in structure to those in mammals, grow slowly in the keratinised layers of skin and may progress over many months.

The fact that cases occur in clusters suggests that the presence of affected birds presents a risk to others that are susceptible. The mode of transmission is not known but it seems likely that the virus may be spread via surfaces the birds stand or perch upon or by direct contact.

Even birds with large papillomas often appear to behave normally so, in some cases, the growths may be little more than an inconvenience and relatively minor irritation. However, lameness is sometimes observed and this clearly indicates pain. In some cases these tumours may regress, but in serious cases death is unfortunately inevitable.

No treatment can be administered to birds in the wild, because it is impossible to ensure adequate dose for the infected individuals and prevent healthy birds picking up the medicine. Some drugs that will cure one species can be lethal to others.

The most effective method to avoid cross-transmission would be to practice good, regular hygiene at your feeders and take steps to minimise crowding at perching or feeding sites.

[Maydup]

Picture of ^^^^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48371218@N07/7662880864/in/photostream

[lilyanne]

Thanks Maydup for your information .

[Chipchopper]

This sounds like 'scaly leg mite' aka 'bumble foot' common in poultry and domestic birds but can also affect wild birds too, particularly chaffinches.

If you google images of this you will see several images to identify and compare.