Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Ticks

  1. #1
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Ellicott City MD
    Posts
    85
    Threads
    25
    Thank You Posts

    Default Ticks

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Do birds get ticks very often? This bird was clearly sick. It put a seed in its mouth and just left it there, without eating it. Just closed its eyes and seemed to fall asleep.

    The size of the tick suggests that a lot of the bird's blood volume might be inside the tick.

    Have other people seen ticks on birds.

  2. #2
    Axel Hildebrandt
    Guest

    Default

    I've never seen this. I guess a tick can overwhelm the immune system of a bird this size.

  3. #3
    Brandon Holden
    Guest

    Default

    I had a tick on the head of a Cardinal a few years ago while *cough* bird banding... I've heard that some birds can have a very difficult time (I think I remember a Rose-coloured Starling a few years ago in Britian that had some on its throat, and possibly died?).. But most are presumably ok, as the tick eventually falls off

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    6,588
    Threads
    643
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Ticks are very common on birds. A single tick is usually not fatal to the individual. This bird may have other problems as well. The bloated tick here is likely a female who is having her last blood meal before falling off and laying eggs.

    Be aware that some bird ticks- particularly those on seabirds- can carry Lyme Disease.

  5. #5
    Jim Gilbert
    Guest

    Default

    I've photographed various apparently healthy, active passerines hosting seriously engorged ticks. No doubt that tick-borne diseases can be serious, though.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics