Since warbles tend to be more limited to rodents and rabbits, I am guessing=
that this bird doesn't have a warble, but more than likely has avian pox (=
dry form). Of course, only a biopsy can tell for sure.=20
I've seen many cases of avian pox over the years in songbirds. There are b=
asically two forms of avian pox - a dry form (cutaneous) and a wet form (d=
iptheritic). With supportive care, antibiotics for secondary bacterial inf=
ections, and good nutrition, most birds can survive the dry form. Some bir=
ds survive the dry=20
form without any treatment, the virus simply runs its course and the bird h=
eals. =20
I have never seen a bird survive the more lethal wet form. I have uploaded=
a photo I took of a brown thrasher with the more lethal wet form. This ph=
oto (not for the queasy) can be seen at=20
http://www.picturehosting.com/images/csale1/avianpoxthrasher1.jpg
Most of the literature says songbirds are most affected with pox in the win=
ter months, but every case I've gotten in for rehab has been during the sum=
mer months.
For more information on Avian Pox you can go to:=20
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/avian_pox.jsp
The other, but less likely, possibility is avian TB, which can present as a=
cutaneous mass. I once had a dying ruby-throated hummingbird that was adm=
itted with a =C3=A2=C2=80=C2=9Ctumor=C3=A2=C2=80=C2=9D beneath his gorget t=
hat appeared to penetrate into his crop. It was the size of a small pea, ye=
llowish-pink in color, with a distinct blood supply. A biopsy of the tumor =
and the liver was performed and much to my surprise the biopsy results came=
back as avian TB (Mycobacterium avium). I doubt that this is the case wit=
h your flycatcher, however, since it appears to otherwise be in good health=
.
Connie & Wilton Sale
218 Scarlett Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
757-482-4796
State and Federal Permits
WildLife Response, Inc.
NWRA, IWRC
Hummingbirds and Small Passerines
humnchirp@xxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.wildliferesponse.org/
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