Avian keratin disorder
by Doris Potter
Title
Avian keratin disorder
Artist
Doris Potter
Medium
Photograph
Description
This Crow has a deformed beak which is a result of "avian keratin disorder" which has been seen mainly in Alaska and British Columbia in alarming numbers of North-western Crows and Black-capped Chickadees. Other species are being affected as well and sometimes both the upper and lower parts of the beak are deformed and this can interfere with the bird's ability to eat.
I found a website where I could report this bird and send the photo. It is a U.S. site which is gathering information to see how widespread this is in North America.
There are theories that contaminants are responsible for this disorder but there is still more research to do to reach conclusive findings.
Here is a link for more information:
http://www.care2.com/causes/study-suggests-cause-of-beak-deformities-in-alaskan-birds-is-environmental.html
Uploaded
April 13th, 2012
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Comments (3)
Kathy Gibbons
aaaaaawwwww thats sad ,its really amazing you found it ,& i am so glad as you reported it !! Im gonna nickname you Mother nature Miss Doris
Doris Potter replied:
I think I could nickname you the same! It is amazing that I found it and it let me get close enough for this photo. At least it must be able to eat to be looking this healthy so I am hopeful for its future.