Chaffinch with fungal foot growth

[rolf]

First one I've seen in a while, but this poor female chaffinch has a very advanced case.

[Chocky]

Yes it's very sad.There are several chaffinches I have seen here with Bumble foot or similar

[Catherine]

That's a shame.. Her legs are so covered with papilloma warts that she can't poossibly perch on feeders to get seeds too... They must also add weight for walking/taking off.

The BTO seem to think this highly contagious virus passes from one bird to another through mites in the nest, that being the reason why it's mostly females affected.

I'm sure it's becoming much more common now, and only wish that there was some sort of prevention or cure for it. I'm also sure that it's part of the reason we see fewer of these lovely little birds in some areas - like here...

[ladylouise62]

Poor little thing - it must add quite a bit of weight.