Avian pox

Avian pox is a common disease in bluebirds. The main symptom is wart-like overgrowths on feet and beak. We have seen several individuals with different degrees of pox; the female below is an example. The great majority of pox-infected individuals that we got to recapture seemed to have healed naturally as no more sign of pox could be noted. However, some other individuals are less fortunate like this male whose pox affected the shape of his beak. The good news is that he was still able able to attract a female with which he had a clutch of 5 chicks that they raised successfully.