Mites and ‘scaly leg’

Mites of the genus Knemidocoptes can cause scaly-looking legs in birds. These mites are members of a wider family of mites that cause mange in domestic animals and scabies in humans.

The ‘scales’ which appear on birds’ legs are dry encrustations made up of material produced by the bird in response to the irritation caused by the mites, together with skin debris thrown up by the mites as they burrow into the tissues. As well as forming on the legs, the scales may also form around the beak.

Viral warty growths 

Another cause of warty growths is the Fringilla papillomavirus which affects Chaffinches and Bramblings. These growths may vary in size from small nodules to larger warts that engulf the whole leg.

The warts develop slowly over a long period and affected individuals may otherwise appear quite healthy, although some individuals may become lame or lose affected digits.

Bacterial infections

Wounds on bird's feet may become infected by bacteria, resulting in the formation of abscesses - sometimes referred as 'bumblefoot' by poultry breeders.