Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
JadedWriter wrote:
Sadly I have no control over anything regarding feeder placement since these are in a public park. I would think Central Park has people in it that take care of the feeders better, but this sounds like they're doing a subpar job of it (not surprising). Also sad this isn't a good sign since these birds are beautiful, I guess it's future hawk food. bs kite wrote: JadedWriter wrote: D85_5331 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr D85_5569 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr D85_5845 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr D85_5461 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Thanks for your response/explanation Marcus.
Friendly observation/advice (for EVERYONE not just Marcus), caring about the birds,,,,
The second from top bird (American Goldfinch) has finch conjunctivitis. My finches get it here too, but rarely now, because I have *finally* become a stickler on cleaning my feeder (frequently and quickly)
a reference to get started on understanding the disease:
I pull my feeder about once every 10 days or so. I simply use a picked/pointed tool to remove all sticky seed clumps near feeding ports and squirt Dawn in all areas, rinse thoroughly, use hair dryer to dry remaining water droplets, reassemble and refill. In no more than 5 minutes I have the feeder refilled and hanging outside again.
It took me months/years to learn what was happening. Now, it is no inconvenience because I've watched their fate. When a finch gets conjunctivitis it is probably a death sentence. The is because the tissue around the eye becomes increasingly scabbed and closes the eye off to light. The bird gradually loses eyesight and starves.
If an American Goldfinch is alone at the feeder, put binoculars on it. It almost certainly has conjunctivitis. That is because AGF's are *very* gregarious. They do not do anything alone. A lone bird is alone only because it is unable to keep up with the clan.
The House Finch (species) is more susceptible to this terrible disease than the AGF
Thanks for understanding and caring about the birds
Jan 29, 2023 at 06:03 AM
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