Any poorly birds, especially doves and pigeons, finches and pheasants who may be suffering from Canker. Other predators such as falcons, owls and corvids may also suffer from this illness if they have eaten a body carrying the condition.

This is a nasty condition but fully curable if treated in good time.

If, especially during the winter months you find a bird hunched up and not responding to your approach, then odds are it needs help and may have canker.

This is a cheese-like growth that starts in the crop, ad works its way up the birds throat and into its crop. It is foul-smelling, restricts the birds' ability to feed or drink, and has the sad consequece if untreated of the bird starving to death.

If you find such a bird, please get it along to your nearest bird sanctuary / wildlife rescue so they can treat it with the best possible chance of success - every hour counts in this case.

Many thanks

Nigel