This male chaffinch has a strange growth on his right foot - it looks as if a clump of seed has become stuck to it. We've been watching him through much of the winter, but it's taken some time to get a picture of him.
This is another view of him. Whatever his handicap, he does very well with it. His only problem appears to be perching on something thin, like a length of wire, when he's a bit shaky. He's easy to recognise when he comes feeding as he squats rather than stands when he's eating.
One problem he does not have. This picture shows Seedfoot with his wife.
This male chaffinch has a strange growth on his right foot - it looks as if a clump of seed has become stuck to it. We've been watching him through much of the winter, but it's taken some time to get a picture of him.
This is another view of him. Whatever his handicap, he does very well with it. His only problem appears to be perching on something thin, like a length of wire, when he's a bit shaky. He's easy to recognise when he comes feeding as he squats rather than stands when he's eating.
One problem he does not have. This picture shows Seedfoot with his wife.
Poor Seedfoot.Glad he is otherwise healthy.
ReplyDeleteSeems this is a very common problem with Chaffinches.
Papillomatosis.. see more.....
http://btoringing.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/papilloma-in-chaffinches-not-for-faint.html
Many thanks for the link which explains the very strange growth. It's the first time we've seen anything like this up here. But it's good to see that he seems to survive very well.
ReplyDelete