What is the House Finch
Disease Survey?

The House Finch Disease Survey monitors the occurrence and spread of conjunctivitis in House Finches and other bird species. The disease first appeared in Winter 1993-94, when bird watchers in Virginia and Maryland reported House Finches with red, swollen, crusty eyes. Since that time, the disease has continued to spread.
The survey is easy to do. Participants watch their feeders and record the visits of feeder birds and the occurrence of disease symptoms. This study is the first to document how disease spreads in a natural population of wild birds, providing information vital to wildlife managers.

Location: Any bird feeder in the U.S. or Canada.

When: Any time. This is a year-round project.

Commitment: Observations can take as little as a few minutes, or you may choose to observe your feeders for longer time periods.

Skills: Ability to identify House Finches, American Goldfinches, and other common species of feeder birds.

Logistics: The survey is free.  Participants receive instructions, data forms, and a one-year subscription to Birdscope, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's newsletter.

Equipment: Participants supply bird feeder(s) and seeds; binoculars are helpful.

Contact:
House Finch Disease Survey
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
E-mail: housefinch@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 254-2469
Fax: (607) 254-2104