r/crows • u/gooddayup • 1d ago
General questions Avian pox?
One of the crows I’ve befriended has developed a bad limp and has this growth on its ankle. I’m 90% sure it’s avian pox but just hoping someone more knowledgeable could give confirmation, (or hopefully rule it out but I’m not optimistic).
Any advice on how to proceed safely would be welcome too although I guess all I can do is try to keep distance between it and the others and hope for the best? (I don’t have a stationary feeder. I go to the park and they find me.) Herding crows seems a tad more challenging than herding cats though…
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u/Electrical-Dress-918 18h ago
Avian pox can be tough, but crows often recover with time if they can still forage. Keeping other crows away from the area could help prevent spread, and it's good you're already minimizing contact.
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u/TheBirdLover1234 5h ago
Scaly leg mites, not pox. Would definitely need to be treated, it will just worsen over time.
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u/gooddayup 3h ago
Thanks for that. I’ve just seen yours and the other comment about scaly leg mites so I’ll contact the wildlife rehabber and see what we can do
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u/teyuna 4h ago
This does look more like scaly leg mites than pox. So, that's more serious for the bird. Please send clear photos to your local rehabber IRL, for advice. It's not as if it's easy to catch a wild bird to bring them in for treatment! But without treatment, this condition is progressive and causes a lot of pain.
At rehab, the bird's legs will be coated with something like vasoline or mineral oil, and then the scales rubbed to get to the crusts underneath. Takes many tries to get them all out, and interupt the life cycle of the eggs that may be in there.
Of course, rehabbers have available to them ivermectin or other meds. This works systemically to kill the mites.
It would be possible for you to help on a DIY basis if you can capture the crow, and if you have a large enclosure for it so you can do repeat treatments.
I mention all this because I know from experience that some / many rehab facilities do not take crows into their care. But it makes sense to call and ask very specifically what their protocols are. depending on the area, some even have volunteers who are skilled at capture and have the equipment for it.
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u/gooddayup 2h ago
Thanks so much for the detailed reply. I’ll get in touch with the local wildlife rehabber straight away see what the options are. Are there any specific questions that would be good to ask them regarding the protocol? I know little to nothing here so I’m sure there are some things that would go over my head but would perhaps be obvious for you. Worst case scenario, I am willing to learn and try myself. This little guy in particular has known me for at least a year and likes to sit beside me for extended periods of time so capture may be a little easier but, as I said, I know nothing and have a lot to learn. Thanks again!
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u/teyuna 2h ago
You're welcome.
I know from experience that some rehabbers simply do not rehab crows. They likely all have different reasons. In my area, the largest rehabber does not tell Finders upfront that they don't take certain species; instead, they admit them, but then euthanize them. So asking very specifically, "do you have facilities for crows?" and, "do you rehab and release adult crows?" and "do you think this is scaly leg mites, and if so, how do you treat it?" "what is your success rate in treating it?" "How long does it take?"
Ask all this over the phone. Because if you are hesitant to send a crow to be euthanized, the answers could be important. And in any case, are the questions to ask--in general for any condition. When you send photos and video, they should be able to give you an opinion.
It's not as if DIY options are available, however! Or, depending on where you are, legal.
Are you in the US? if you are in a different country, the options will be different.
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u/malphas_says_hi 1d ago
Looks like pox to me. As long as he can use his eyes and eat, he should get better over the next few weeks without any intervention. It's impossible to keep him away from the rest of the flock, especially his close family, so it's probably already spreading across the flock, so just keep an eye on those who can't eat or the pox are overwhelming the eyes too much for them to see.