House Finch Disease Survey
The House Finch Disease Survey is an unprecedented opportunity for you to help researchers track the spread of an infectious disease in a wildlife population.
The survey is easy to do: participants record the visits of House Finches and American Goldfinches at their feeders and the occurrence of disease birds, and then send their data to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In doing so, they help scientists document the occurrence and spread of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in the United States and Canada.
This is a very simple project in which to participate. Simply note whether you watched for birds each day, indicate whether you saw any house finches or goldfinches, observe them for signs of the disease (see the website to know what to look for), and then mark down the number that appear to have the disease. You also note whether there are any other kinds of birds with this disease.
For a long time, I didn't see any house finches, goldfinches or other birds that appeared to have the disease. I still submitted my results, though, since knowing about the absence of birds or of birds with disease is just as valuable information as knowing how many birds are affected.
Eventually, though, I did see a house finch with the disease. (Photo taken through the window screen.)
