This White-crowned Sparrow had some kind of growths around its bill. Does anyone know if this is avian pox?
Posted by Dennis Plank on June 25, 2010 at 2:05 PM
I'm not sure, Jim. They're not feeder birds in our area, but the article does say mosquitoes can be a vector. Do you have enough pixels to zoom in on the beak some more?
Posted by David Graham on June 26, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Jim,
In mosquito-rich Alaska, avain poxvirus infection would be a reasonable possibility. Also to be considered are two neoplastic diseases that not uncommonly arise from the lining of the oral cavity and from the stromal connective tissue underlying the rhamphotheca (beak). They are, respectively, squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma, If the bird frequents feeders/water supplies shared by doves and /or pigeons, a protozoal parasitic infection, Trichomoniasis, of the upper digestive tract - including the oral mucosa - would also be a possibility. The trichomonal infection is often carried asymptomatically by columbiform birds. Oral mucosal infection by a Capillaria nematode (worm) can produce a similar appearance. And lastly, Candidiasis, a surface fungal infection, can complicate underlying lesions of any of the above listed diseases.
Discussion
2 repliesIn mosquito-rich Alaska, avain poxvirus infection would be a reasonable possibility. Also to be considered are two neoplastic diseases that not uncommonly arise from the lining of the oral cavity and from the stromal connective tissue underlying the rhamphotheca (beak). They are, respectively, squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma, If the bird frequents feeders/water supplies shared by doves and /or pigeons, a protozoal parasitic infection, Trichomoniasis, of the upper digestive tract - including the oral mucosa - would also be a possibility. The trichomonal infection is often carried asymptomatically by columbiform birds. Oral mucosal infection by a Capillaria nematode (worm) can produce a similar appearance. And lastly, Candidiasis, a surface fungal infection, can complicate underlying lesions of any of the above listed diseases.
Dave Graham, D.V.M., Ph.D. Dipl. A.C.V.P.
Estelline, SD
Veterinary/Wildlife/Avian pathologist (Ret.)