Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis - Eye Disease In Finches

Yeah, I signed up about a week ago when I saw this one's eye. I'm waiting for the paper mail now.

Just hoping it doesn't spread all over. Thanks for the info Mitch.

Reyno, I have read that it's on the wane. It was first seen on the East coast in 93-94 and spread quickly to the Mississippi, then started to level off. Still, I don't want to see any of them go through this. The little guy was frantic and exhausted. The only bright point is he might recover if his immune system can fight it off.

I've seen several goldfinches with this condition, and a couple of cardinals that seemed to be having eye problems, too. I'll make a note and sign up...

Very informative thread Al , also very sad , I myself have never seen or heard of this but I have heard and do practice the cleaning and bleaching of feeders and I have like 7 of them to clean but like you said it's not a big deal to do ,,,, mmmm maybe that's why I haven't seen this sort of thing before , thanx for sharing this Al

House finches are thought to be more commonly affected by this infection as they are an introduced species and may not be as resistant to the bacteria.

Since the disease is spread through ocular secretions esp. in songbirds and doesn't survive long outside of the body, it is common in areas with overcrowding, such as feeders, which allow birds that would normally die to live longer because of the supplemental feeding. Especially the tube style feeders which could be why it is on the rise in goldfinches since it is common to feed niger to them.

Sick birds can be treated but it takes a lengthy period of several different antibiotics but they become carrier birds, that show no signs themselves but still have ability to spread the infection to healthy birds when they begin to shed the organisms when the body is put under stress. As far as I know they carry the organism for life once it has been introduced.

Bob, you sign up from the site, then they send you some stuff in the mail. I guess forms and stuff to keep track of sightings, it hasn't gotten here yet. The site says they want sightings of healthy birds too.

Wayne, I did read that it goes up into Canada too so it can't hurt to keep watch. But I'll tell ya, any birders are going to be aware of any of their birds with this disease. It's very obvious the bird is stressed.

I think I might take the tube down for awhile, but this guy eats other stuff too. It might be better to put it out of it's misery.

We had an outbreak in 2000-2001 in our house and purple finches. It didn't spread to the goldfinches. We had about 6-8 birds with it. They hung around for months just sitting on the feeders eating all day long. One day I went out to fill a feeder and the bird wouldn't get off! I didn't even see him at first. I picked up the feeder and opened it then saw him. By the next season they were all gone. and I've never seen it again luckily. We just kept our feeders very clean and kept an eye out for them and predators.

Did your birds recover from it, do you know, or just disappeared? I saw this bird with it first about a week ago. Then I didn't see it again til yesterday.

Well, I am now a law breaker. I saw the sick little guy on the stand feeder right outside my window. She was sleeping. So I went outside, walked up to it and just picked her up. I have a 10 gallon aquarium set up as a sick room now and will see if I can get the bird healthy again. If not, at least she won't infect any other birds now.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

About eight years ago I noticed the same thing on one House Finch that used to frequent my feeder. I didn't know until now what I was seeing.

Thanks for sharing that information.

It's really a gross disease Steve. While the eye thing looks bad, the disease attacks their lungs and I think that is worse, though it doesn't show.

Probably not the right thing to say and all since your breaking the law, but IMO you are doing the right thing, It pains me aswell to see birds in distress and pain, the little dudes give us so much pleasure without even knowing it, it`s times like this that I wish there was more we could do.

Mark

The little guy has calmed down. Her eye has been bothering her with that crusty thing on it. She scratches it constantly. I have put some salve on it that is antiseptic and analgesic, and should soften it up and maybe help it get better. I might be able to find some stuff for the disease at a good pet store that deals in bird stuff. If not, I'm going to call a vet and see what they say.

I doubt I'm in trouble though. Who wouldn't do the same?

canonloader wrote in post #3259446
Well, I am now a law breaker. I saw the sick little guy on the stand feeder right outside my window. She was sleeping. So I went outside, walked up to it and just picked her up. I have a 10 gallon aquarium set up as a sick room now and will see if I can get the bird healthy again. If not, at least she won't infect any other birds now.

Goodluck Mitch and the little one. Well if your gonna be a law breaker @ least is a very good cause.