Poor Old Cement Feet

This Currawong started hanging around our place looking to cash in on the Kookaburras being fed.

We have christened him Cement Feet as he is suffering from Scaly Leg (or Tasslefoot) caused by Cnemidocoptes mite which effects Currawongs in particular and can become quite painful for them and cause them to lose their toes.

Treatment involves catching them and over a number of weeks, repeatedly soaking their feet and then scratching the scale off once it has softened. Easy with a chook but not so with a wild bird.

We aren't going down that path especially since he has at least one baby to look after at the moment. We are just keeping an eye on him to see how he goes.

We would normally not bother with a Currawong but we hate to see injured wildlife.

[Esther Rosenberg]

oh no, yikes. I hope he heals soon. Nice shot

[Peter]

Sounds awful hope hes not suffering , lovely image great feather detail and composition Terry:)

[Lin]

Great capture - hope he can get better on his own.

[haskar]

It looks very interesting and is such an unpleasant disease. Great shot.

[KoalaGardens🐨]

wow that really doesn't seem comfortable and he is so beautiful

[Denise Wood]

it really looks like cement!! Hope you can help the poor bug... and help clear his feet in time. And thanks for popping by my photos yesterday :) Merry Christmas to you and Rhoda :)

[Valerie Chesney]

Poor bird that looks so cumbersome;

[Lou Ann]

Awww bless him.