This probably looks worse than it is, but it is quite a common bird affliction. This juvenile sparrow has acquired a large tick, which typically attaches to the head near the eye. The location is simply the most efficient as by latching on there the bird is unable to remove it through preening. The tick will gorge itself before eventually falling away after about a week. From what I can discover, unless it causes infection the bird will be fine (though I am willing to be corrected on this). Ticks can carry diseases which affect humans (e.g. lyme disease).
That was taken at the edge of Falmer Pond. This is a view of the pond and church from a high vantage point.
No badgers yet tonight, but Shutterbug flew the flag for the foxes with a brief mid-evening stroll around the garden.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, except the fox which was photographed with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
derWandersmann
12 Sep 2012I suspect the tick can get at the blood vessels in that spot with a minimum of shoving feathers aside, too. Still and all, it does reach out and pluck the heartstrings, eh? Queer that the little guy can't get a foot up there, though.
Lovely view of the typical English countryside … your Island does look so "lived-in".
Shutterbug's looking fit, and that wound over his eye appears to have healed.
SittingFox
12 Sep 2012I would have thought that a tick would be hard to dislodge with only a foot. They usually cling on pretty tenaciously. I've had to remove many from the dogs and that one looks like it's gorged, so it'll probably fall off soon.
Shutterbug still looks quite summer-ish. I've come back to the North Downs for a few days and the foxes up here in the 'north' are already getting thicker coats!
Words
12 Sep 2012dW, a foot may not be enough to take it out cleanly. The eye is a common spot for these on birds. Fewer feathers must make a difference, but also keeping clear of the beak so that serious grooming is impossible.
Words
12 Sep 2012Adele, I agree that they probably can't dislodge them with their feet. Pecking would be a different matter though. Shutterbug is beginning to get his winter coat. With luck he'll show it off next month.
serola
16 Sep 2012Poor sparrow nevertheless :awww:
That landscape picture is excellent :up:
Words
18 Sep 2012Sami, hopefully the sparrow will be ok, and I'm pleased you liked the landscape. Thanks!