More one-eyed Hawks--WARNING: 2 Injured Bird Photos

[guitarman3]

This first shot shows a possible injury to the hawk's left eye. It stood there perfectly still and his mouth opened about 1/8th of an inch, then closed, then opened, continuously. It may very well have been in some pain. It wasn't normal behavior in my experience with hawks. I was about 25 feet away (refuge rules kept me in my truck) and I couldn't get any response from this hawk. I think we'd see his left eyeball in the shot if it were there. A very unfortunate situation indeed.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/7Jan2008/_MG_4381.jpg



In the 2nd phot, there's no question this poor fellow is injured. However, he didn't appear nearly as distraught as the first bird. He was moving his head normally and scoping out the area--and me.

I'm hoping these birds can get along ok with these injuries but I'm thinking that the risk of becoming prey themselves increases markedly because of their injuries. On the other hand, I'm hoping they can adapt.

My next post will not be so depressing!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/7Jan2008/_MG_4639.jpg

[MikeI]

Is that the same disease common with finches? I saw something similar this summer with a finch. Poor fella...

[gymell]

Is there someone at the refuge you can contact to try and capture this bird? It should definitely be taken to a rehabilitator. I don't think it can survive like that, as it depends on having the use of both eyes to hunt.

[canonloader]

It is highly unlikely it is "mycoplasmal conjunctivitis", the house and gold finch eye disease. It's possible, but not likely. This looks like an injury, from fighting or even running into a stick while chasing another bird.

I have followed news of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, as I have seen it in several finches and even house sparrows here, but it's not supposed to jump to other birds. Although, it could, not enough is known about it to be sure. It is a lung disease that eventually shows in the eyes of finches, makes them go blind, which they then die from. The disease itself is not the killer. :(

[guitarman3]

Liz, yes there is a number posted at the refuge kiosk to call for injured wildlife. Unfortunately, I did not put it in my cell phone (but I will next time I go). There are also many parts of the auto tour where a cell phone will not work. It's also likely the bird moved within an hour or so because I did not see it again on subsequent loops of the tour. Thanks for your post and your concern.

[MikeI]

It is highly unlikely it is "mycoplasmal conjunctivitis", the house and gold finch eye disease. It's possible, but not likely. This looks like an injury, from fighting or even running into a stick while chasing another bird.

I have followed news of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, as I have seen it in several finches and even house sparrows here, but it's not supposed to jump to other birds. Although, it could, not enough is known about it to be sure. It is a lung disease that eventually shows in the eyes of finches, makes them go blind, which they then die from. The disease itself is not the killer. :(


Thanks for the info. I never even knew of the disease until I saw a bird with it and posted the picture. Another reason I love this site!