What Is House Finch Eye Disease?
House finches range in size from 5.1 to 5.5 inches, with a wingspan of 7.9 to 9.8 inches. They are native to the western United States and Mexico. House finches may develop an eye disease called mycoplasmal conjunctivitis.CauseMycoplasmal conjunctivitis is a parasitic bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum.Initial SymptomsMycoplasmal conjunctivitis appears as a dry crusting of the tissue surrounding the house finch’s eye. The eye may appear reddish.Advanced StageAs the disease progresses, the conjunctival tissue becomes extremely swollen, to the point where the house finch’s eye is closed shut. The bird is practically blind at this stage.EffectsHouse finches with mycoplasmal conjunctivitis can’t feed properly or evade predators. They usually die of starvation or predation.PrecautionsIf you see a house finch with mycoplasmal conjunctivitis feeding from a bird feeder, take down the feeder and clean it with a 10 percent bleach solution.
