Black-capped Chickadee with elongated bill in Alaska
By Alaska Science Center
November 2019 (approx.)
Detailed Description
Black-capped Chickadee with beak deformity characteristic of avian keratin disorder (AKD) shared by a citizen science observer in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. Avian keratin disorder is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Copyright: Photo taken by Tahnee Fox
Sources/Usage
Copyright Permission Agreement signed by Tahnee Fox. The U.S. Geological Survey has been granted permission to use copyright material in information products including publications, data releases, and webpages.
Related
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds. This disease, called avian keratin disorder (AKD), is characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality. If...
Related
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds. This disease, called avian keratin disorder (AKD), is characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality. If...