Nebraska Cooperative Extension NF97-355 House Finch "Eye" Disease Eva Wallner-Pendleton, Extension and Diagnostic Avian Veterinarian
Ron J. Johnson, Extension Wildlife Specialist
John Dinan, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Previous Category Catalog Order Info ... Bird Feeding and Disease A newly-recognized disease that causes swollen eyelids and weepy eyes in house finches was confirmed in Nebraska in 1996 and has been observed as far west as McCook. Other symptoms of this emerging disease include wet, matted feathers around the eyelids and face, weight loss, fluffed feathers, inactivity, loss of sight, and eventual death in some affected birds. This disease, caused by a strain of the bacteria-like organism Mycoplasma gallisepticum , was first observed in several mid-Atlantic and eastern states in 1994. It has now spread to Canada, all of the eastern and Midwestern United States, and as far west as Texas, but has not been reported in Colorado. Species Affected This disease does not affect people, cats, dogs or other mammals, and the house finch appears to be the primary host. Natural infections, however, have been confirmed in a few American goldfinches, and one report indicates that two young blue jays developed the disease after being placed in a cage previously occupied by infected house finches. Another strain of mycoplasma causes respiratory disease in domestic poultry. In laboratory situations, chickens can become infected with the finch strain of mycoplasma, but may not develop the same illness as the house finch. No naturally occurring cross-infection has been reported between house finches and poultry. | |
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