Disease killing off doves, pigeons

[pigeonperson]

http://tinyurl.com/34r5s5

Disease killing off doves, pigeons
By KEVIN HOWE
Herald Staff Writer

A familiar parasitic disease is decimating the Central Coast's dove and band-tailed pigeon populations.

The birds are succumbing to trichomoniasis, or canker, said Terry Palmisano, senior wildlife biologist for the state Department of Fish and Game.

The disease primarily affects doves and pigeons, she said, but can be passed on to hawks, kites and other raptors that hunt pigeons.

"We're getting good numbers of birds," Palmisano said. "We've not got a handle on how many."

She said Hastings Reserve and areas in upper Carmel Valley are reporting birds in the tens and dozens, found dead or dying on the ground. Band-tailed pigeons nest in oak woodlands at higher elevations, so quite a few that succumb are never found and their carcasses are eaten by other wildlife, including wild pigs.

Trichomoniasis is caused by a virulent strain of the single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas gallinae, that gets into the lining of the birds' mouths, Palmisano said. It is then passed from bird to bird by "billing" during courtship, by shared contaminated food or water, and other close contact.

The disease causes lesions in the lining of the birds' mouths, throats and crops, she said, affecting their ability to breathe and feed.

"Sometimes the lesions almost look like large, yellow masses of cottage cheese coming out of the bird's mouth."

Gruesome as the symptoms appear, Palmisano said, there is no threat to public health. The disease doesn't spread to humans, and isn't related to avian influenza.

The disease infects species of doves, pigeons and raptors, and outbreaks occur periodically at this time of year when bird numbers reach a point that trichomoniasis can spread readily through the population, she said.

Past outbreaks occurred in Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and Florida as well as California, according to wildlife biologists.

Those who find dead birds with the symptoms, Palmisano said, should clean and sterilize bird feeders, bird baths and other man-made food or water sources where pigeons and doves are likely to congregate.

That can be done, she said, by washing feeders and containers with water and a 10 percent bleach solution and replacing old birdseed with fresh. It should only be done if birds are seen in the area.

If birds are found on the ground, she said, "We always recommend that, when handling wildlife, put on a glove."

[KIPPY]

I find this very interesting considering what is going on in my back yard right now and my aviary. I just had a Pij from my back yard who had canker in the beak that cleared up. I just caught another pij the other night who has a bunch stuff in his throat. I've had sick ones I've taken to a rehabber because I could not see anything. Internal canker is a possibility, but I havn't been able to figure that out. I'm so frustrated right now I need meds.

[naturegirl]

Extremely interesting artical. I can remember about 3 -4 years ago that seemed like everytime I walked outside I would find a Mourning Dove with this happening. At that time I had no idea what it was or how to deal with it. From talking to rehabbers on this site and learning much more about it, I now know it was trichomoniasis, or canker. I was very sad to hear of this, my vet whom I go thru for rehabbing said it is almost like Mother Natures way of controling species. This past year talking to other rehabbers in my area said last year there were more American Robins that were hard to be saved. Year before that it was the House Finch with conjunctivitis. Seems like it goes in streaks. If I see a bird sick it is off to the vets we go to try to save it. Lets see what this year is like with Mourning Doves in the Michigan area.

Cindy

[Lady Tarheel]

Cindy, about 3-4 years ago we had several backyard doves get canker and by the time we could catch them it was so advanced nothing we did could save them. I agree with you that things like this come in cycles.

The canker in the doves that we caught was so bad it almost made me ill to look at it. We had left our garage door up one day and when Lewis went out there for something there was a little dove tucked into a corner at the big door, trying to make himself inconspicuous. He died shortly after we brought him in and I believe he came in the garage to be as safe as he could from predators. It is terribly sad because they have to be suffering.

[naturegirl]

It is sad and to literally starve to death is painful. It is always too late by the time you can walk up to them and pick them up with absolutely no fight left in them. Everything goes in cycles and is too bad but it is Mother Natures way of controling numbers I guess. Sometimes I have to make some pretty tuff decisions about life or death but I am sure they are the right ones.

Cindy

[pdpbison]

Happily ( knock-on-Wood,) this seems less frequent here than it used to...

That or it maybe comes in waves...

Phil
Las Vegas