About RRBO | Latest sightings | Banding | Features | Checklist | Research | Links | Books
RRBO Home | Site guide | EIC Home | UM-D Home
Bill tumors are another type of deformity that is encounterd. Often, bill tumors are the result of avian pox, a virus that most frequently causes lesions on the feet and legs of birds, but also affects other soft parts. Pox lesions are scabby, crusty, or warty growths. If near the nostril they can obstruct breathing, or can obstruct vision if near the eyes. The lesions fall off after about a month when the virus runs its course, but it appears they can sometimes compromise the bill structure -- some birds have chunks of bill missing. This may not be due to the pox itself, but might be due to secondary infections of the pox lesions. Pox lesions may leave a scar. A form of avian pox, "wet pox" impacts internal mucous membranes, but is not as common as "dry pox."Avian pox can be spread by mosquitoes, but also through contact of infected tissues between birds. Banders should be careful to wash hands and carrying bags if they encounter birds infected with pox. Pox is commonly spread between infected birds at feeders and bird baths. These should be disinfected regularly with a weak bleach solution, and/or temporarily removed. For more information on avian pox, see: Michigan Dept. of Natural Resoures avian pox page
Below is a table of examples of some birds with bill tumors. Most appear to be related to an avian pox infection. You can contact Julie Craves with additional reports and the table will be periodically updated.
Back to other bill deformities.
|
|
|
|
| Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) | 31 Aug 2002; HY-U; Burdette, NY; growth (tumor?) upper mandible 3x5mm | John & Sue Gregoire
Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Obs. (khmo AT att.net) |
| Red-eyed Vireo | 11 Sep 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI: very large (>5mm) tumor near nares, blocking nostril on one side; feet normal, bill tumor did not look like typical pox | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| Vireo sp. | 20 Sep 2003; HY-U; near Amherstburg, Ontario; degraded area near tip | Holiday Beach Migration
Observatory
Allen Chartier (amazilia1@comcast.net) |
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | 25 Aug 2002; HY-U; Burdett, NY; 8mm tumor left gape | John & Sue Gregoire
Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Obs. (khmo AT att.net) |
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | 13 Sep 2003; AHY-U; near Amherstburg, Ontario; pox-like tumor on bill; swollen sacs under eyes | Holiday Beach Migration
Observatory
Allen Chartier (amazilia1@comcast.net) |
| Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustalatus) | 20 Sep 2004; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI: hard tumor on top of bill, bled when nicked; mandibles thus slightly crossed at tips | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | 22 Aug 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; pox-like tumor on top mandible in front of nares | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin | 25 Aug 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; pox-like tumor on top mandible in front of nares | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin | 3 Sep 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; raw tumor on top mandible in front of nares, distal portion of mandible missing (also had foot pox) | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin | 5 Sep 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; raw, bloody tumor on top mandible in front of nares (mild foot pox) | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin | 11 Sep 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; bill in front of nares with a chunk out, as if a tumor had dropped off; some foot pox | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin | 14 Sep 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; foot pox and bill tumor | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| American Robin | 2 Oct 2003; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; severe foot pox and bill tumor; one eye completely oozing and blind | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) | 18 Sep 2003; HY-F; Rector, PA; eroded tip as if a pox tumor had fallen off | Powdermill Nature Reserve
Robert S. Mulvihill (mulvipnr AT westol.com) |
| Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis) | 30 April 2007; AHY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; top bill eroded and shortened, perhaps healed pox (cross referenced in bill deformity table) | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | 31 Aug 2001; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; tumor on base of bill (also on shoulder) | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | 16 Sep 1992; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; tumor on bill | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| Song Sparrow | 21 Aug 2003; HY-U; Burdette,
NY; either hardened tar or a keratinous growth on
upper mandible, fell off during exam - reddish, slightly bloody but not deformed beneath |
John & Sue Gregoire
Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Obs. (khmo AT att.net) |
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | 1 Sep 1993; HY-U; Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI; tumor on bill | Rouge River Bird Observatory
Julie Craves (jcraves AT umd.umich.edu) |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | 1 Sep 2003; HY-M; Burdett, NY; bloody growth on upper mandible | John & Sue Gregoire
Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Obs. khmo AT att.net |
| Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) | 21 Aug 2005; HY-F; upper mandible shortened from tip, and thickened at base; no crossing. Metro Beach Metropark, Macomb Co., MI (photo available from bander). |
Allen Chartier (amazilia1 AT comcast.net) |