Which statement is true regarding the disease known as frounce?

The statement that it can make feeding difficult for hawks is accurate because frounce, also known as trichomoniasis, affects the upper digestive system of birds, primarily affecting the throat and esophagus. This infection can cause lesions and a buildup of debris in the area, which can lead to discomfort and difficulty swallowing food. As a result, affected birds may struggle to feed themselves, impacting their health and nutritional intake.

While the other options touch on aspects of the disease, they do not align with the characteristics of frounce. For instance, it does indeed exhibit visible symptoms such as lesions or yellowish pus in the throat, which rules out the idea that it has no visible symptoms. Additionally, while the disease does affect the digestive system, the primary impact on feeding makes the first option more directly relevant. Lastly, while frounce can be serious and potentially fatal, it is not universally the leading cause of death in raptors compared to other diseases and conditions, making this statement less accurate.