Bird Watching: House Finch Eye Disease (mycoplasmal conjunctivitis) .. HELP, 0 by NM_Jane

NM_Jane wrote:
(I hope this doesn't post twice. I was typing it before and my browser just shut itself down.)

I had this house finch show up a few days ago; but I wasn't able to get a photo of it until this morning. At first, I thought it was just molting; but from the photo, I can see that's not the case.

Cornell has an ongoing survey to track the spread of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in house finches. I'm inclined to believe that is what this bird has; but I really don't know for sure.

Can anyone tell me ... Is this mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, some other disease, or possible just a mishap that injured the bird's eye?

Also, if it is mycoplasmal conjunctivitis or some other disease, what should I do? I've thought about taking down my feeders; but I have over 200 birds (house finches, doves, quail, sparrows, thrashers, cactus wrens, and more) that visit my feeders every day. I don't know if there is enough natural food to support the bird population in my yard; so if I do have to take down my feeders, for how long?

If this is a disease, another option (although I don't like to think about it) would be to exterminate the diseased bird.

Any information, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jane