Sparrows and Ticks - any ideas? (1 Viewer)

[retep d]

Hi,
Today I found this Sparrow (I'm fairly sure it a hen!) in my garden and on its head there were three (3) relatively large Ticks.

The bird is very light and I am assuming that the ticks have sapped the birds strength and that was why the over weight cat managed to catch it.

Is this a common thing for birds?

 

[griffin]

Sheep and Deer ticks are partly blamed for the decline in Red Grouse - of course one could argue that a bunch of hooray henry's in tweeds blasting the crap out of them also has an effect ( they shot 35% of Grouse stock in the Lomond Hills a few years ago I beleive, a stock that is unique to the area and already very low ? ). In fairness some estates have postponed Grouse shooting this year as numbers are too low. Probably also bad news for the raptors which will consequently receive the attentions and paranoia of less worthy keepers.

In Deeside it has been bad for deer ticks this year- lots of notices up about Lymes Disease which they can spread, however most that I see or get on my clothing are much smaller than the ones in your photo. I have seen ones that size near sheep farms and ground where sheep or livestoch graze.

Maybe one of the insect specialists will be along to ID the brutes. I would be worried if they were in my garden !! Dig out those gaiters !


Linz

 

[KnockerNorton]

Ticks are very common on birds - even ones that size - and they largely cause no problems at all. They simply drop off when they're full. There's have to be a lot more than that to sap any strength. I catch lots of Great Tits, and at certain times of the year they're full of them.

 

[Markgo]

I catch lots of Great Tits, and at certain times of the year they're full of them.

Why do you catch Great Tits Offord?

Also, I am pleased to read that they drop off. I just photographed a sparrow in my garden yesterday with such a tick on its forehead. (I didn't relize at the time it was tick). The bird was very active and feeding heartily from a fat ball.

Regards

Mark

 

[KnockerNorton]

Because I'm a research scientist.