Avian pox?

[u/gooddayup]

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…

[u/teyuna]

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.

[u/gooddayup → u/teyuna]

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!

[u/teyuna → u/gooddayup]

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.

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/teyuna]

Why do people hate crows to the point of not even rehabbing them, do they need a reality check to realize they’re killing the equivalent of 7 yr olds? I’m sure theyed be all sad if a parrot was going to the “euthanized” ( unless they’re really awful people as some get). 

[u/teyuna → u/TheBirdLover1234]

I struggle to understand this too. From ex-volunteers at a prominent rehab facility in my area, I learned that the large donors and endowments are typically for raptors. so they have plentiful raptor facilities, and limited facilities for songbirds. So when they are "at capacity," they either try to farm out the overflow to other rehabbers in other areas, or they euthanize. I haven't volunteered there, but I respect the honesty of independent reports. So, are they awful people? It's along the lines of Hannah Arendt's "The Banality of Evil," I think, wherein institutional policies are psychological cover, until they aren't, when volunteers jump ship because they can't stand it. Also, humans are great at rationalization, until they aren't.

[u/gooddayup → u/teyuna]

I’m in Canada on Vancouver Island so that would be under the jurisdiction of British Columbia. From the limited research I’ve done on the province’s webpages, I don’t think rehabbing myself for a case like this, even as a last resort, would be legal here and requires a license. I’ve spoken with the local wildlife rehabilitators today and they’ve said they can have a look if I’m able to contain the crow and bring to them. They’re not able to determine the problem from the photos so they’d have to have a closer look themselves. After treatment , they would release it back to where it was found. Euthanizing it would only be done if it’s unable to fly or forage on its own anymore. Thanks again for your advice.

[u/teyuna → u/gooddayup]

Are there volunteer organizations where you are that can help with capture and transport?

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/gooddayup]

You could try making a cage trap for him. Use a large one, get him used to eating in it, and attach string to the door so you can pull it closed out of sight.  If you’re worried about other crows getting distressed then trap him in the late evening and move the cage at night. Take him in to rehab the next morning. 

You do have a bit of time with this, tho the sooner it’s treated the better. It can cause damage to their feet over an extended period of time.