Hundreds (and possibly thousands) of native California pigeons have died this winter due to a parasitic disease, state wildlife officials announced.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said they’ve noticed an increase of reported sick and dead band-tailed pigeons since early February, mostly around California’s Bay Area, central coast and foothills in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
So far this winter, an estimated 200 to 3000 pigeons have died from avian trichomonosis, a disease that mostly comes from the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae during some winter seasons.
Infected birds develop “cheese-like” lesions in their mouth or throat, which lead to starvation or suffocation, said wildlife officials. Birds with the disease may appear weak, uncoordinated and swallow repeatedly or have difficulty breathing.
Though band-tailed pigeons are most susceptible to the disease, other bird species, incuding their predators, can also catch avian trichomonosis.
The parasite typically spreads in water sources like bird baths, fountains and livestock troughs.
“Historically, larger outbreaks generally have been associated with drier conditions because the pigeons may be more likely to share a reduced number of water sources and the parasite can spread more rapidly among birds in the flock,” said CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Krysta Rogers, who is an avian disease specialist.
Community members can prevent disease transmission by removing bird feeders and bird baths, especially when pigeons are in the area.
Residents can report sightings of sick or dead pigeons via CDFW’s mortality reporting form.
The picture I’m looking at are domestic pigeons. California Native ones have yellow feet.
they serve a purpose; kinda’, but to me are just rats with wings…
Just like Squirrel’s, rats with bushey tails
Someone once told me squirrels are rats with better PR.
This desease is also known as Pigeon Canker. Cases have been around for years. I used to race homing pigeons 40 years ago. We were very careful back then making sure your birds were safe from canker…. clean lofts, treated water and not to let in any stray Pigeons.
Oh no! no more flying rats? worked on roofs for years. ( Diseases associated with pigeon droppings include Cryptococcosis, Histoplasmosis and Psittacosis. You can become infected with these diseases by breathing in the dust that is created when cleaning droppings CDC.gov)
Those weren’t Band-Tailed Pigeons – they are tree dwellers.
@BD….”Whys everyone such a jerk? Does anyone have respect for animals anymore?
I’m very happy……”….
These guys are better than tree frogs.
They bring joy to birdseed tossing seniors and children in parks all over America.
The picture is not the species in question. Band-tailed Pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) are native to CA, they are bigger and differently colored, and live in forests or heavily-wooded suburbs. They aren’t the trash-eating omnivorous city bird. They all have the same “wild-type” plumage as each other, unlike the common city pigeon (the Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, Columba livia) which has lots of color and pattern variation, because it has been domesticated and bred for variations, with domestic populations then gone feral and mixed with wild populations.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Band-tailed_Pigeon/overview
Curious, concentration of pigeons on Clayton Rd. happen to be near two car washes
The good news is that the pigeons at the California Grand Casino are doing fine.
And the problem is…, what?