[obol] BT Pigeon parasite

[Molly Monroe]

Thought it might be worth sharing that we recently found one sick and one dead Band-Tailed Pigeon at Finley NWR and had it examined by ODFW. It died from a parasite called Canker or Trichomonas, causing a disease known as trichomoniasis. The basics of the disease is a build up of lesions and mucous in the throat resulting in starvation. It can be passed to other adults by preening/courting and through their feces (especially at feeders) and can then be transmitted to young when they are feeding/milking. It is fairly common in pigeons and doves and can also be found in raptors after feeding on an infected bird.
I was told that the best way to prevent the spread of this is to pull feeders for the season (there is plenty out there for them to eat) and disenfect them well before putting them out again. I would appreciate any suggestions as to the best time of year to put out feeders to benefit these lovely birds!
 
Molly Monroe
Wildlife Biologist
WVNWRC
Corvallis, OR
 _( '</ ) )//' To cherish what remains of the earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival. -Wendell Berry
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