Salmonella: one of the most common diseases birds can catch â usually fatal. Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted from bird to bird through contaminated feeders via their droppings and saliva. It can survive on feeder surfaces for several weeks in a dry environment, and several months in wet ones.
Symptoms: lethargy, diarrhea, and a lack of appetite; infected birds can become so weakened that they are unable to fly or perch, which means a bird with this disease is less likely to fly away when you approach.
Avian pox: a viral infection â generally not fatal but will cause significant discomfort and distress. Fatality can occur via secondary causes. The virus is highly resistant and can exist for long periods on surfaces.
Symptoms: birds tend to behave and feed normally, if they can â the virus causes wart- or tumor-like growths, often on the birdâs head around the eyes or beak, and on their legs and feet, sometimes even their wings. Â The growths are gray, red, pink or yellow in color, and can become very large leading to restrictions in vision, eating and movement; which in turn makes birds highly vulnerable to predation, starvation, and can also lead to secondary infections.
Trichomonosis: also known as canker in pigeons and doves and frounce in birds of prey. Caused by a parasite that doesnât survive long outside the host but nevertheless has led to some severe outbreaks in the past, causing rapid declines in the mid-2000s in British finches. It is passed via contaminated water or regurgitated food.
Symptoms: due to the disease attacking the throat and gullet, birds show difficulty in swallowing, often with labored breathing, as well as wet plumage around the bill from drooling saliva or regurgitated food they canât swallow. Sometimes the neck may also swell. In general, birds will be lethargic with fluffed-up plumage, and they can be ill for several days or even weeks.
Aspergillosis: a respiratory infection contracted by inhaling fungal spores found in contaminated feed or feeder debris. Aspergillus fungus exists everywhere in our environment, particularly in soil, nesting material and moldy food, and itâs quite resistant to disinfection. Seed-eating birds are more prone to this as the seeds generally lack Vitamin A which is essential in keeping immune systems healthy.
Symptoms: difficulty breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, the infection can lead to death.
Colibacillosis: caused by the bacterium E.coli, this affects a wide range of garden bird species and makes it harder for them to digest their food which can lead to other complications. Most often seen in domestic poultry, nonetheless it can easily get into the external environment, and in acute cases will cause septicaemia and death.
Bird flu / avian influenza: the current virus strain is known as HPAI, where the HP stands for Highly Pathogenic. It spreads through contact with infected saliva, nasal secretions or droppings.
Symptoms: swollen head, closed and excessively watery eyes, unresponsiveness, lack of coordination and loss of balance, drooping wings and/or dragging legs, twisting the head and neck, respiratory distress; the list is long and upsetting. The gravity of the current situation with bird flu canât be overstated, and there are serious concerns that this disease will lead to species extinctions very soon as the combination with other pressures like habitat loss and pollution the birds are already under is just compounding the issue.
Garden birds are, however, far less at risk than other wild birds like seabirds, whose colony lifestyles are seeing devastating numbers of deaths. It is still vitally important you are aware of the symptoms and report any dead birds you see.
All of the above are very nasty diseases that will cause a good deal of distress to the birds at your feeder, if not eventual death. The good news is that ALL of them can be thwarted by simply keeping your feeders clean, and if you spot any symptoms then take your feeders down immediately and inform your local wild bird specialists. After that point, listen for the all-clear from them or keep your feeders down for at least two weeks.
The best way to clean a bird feeder is to use a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Empty the feeder and take it apart as much as possible, then soak the feeder in the bleach solution for at least 10 minutes. Use a brush to scrub away any debris or mold, and then rinse the feeder thoroughly with clean water. Allow the feeder to air-dry completely before refilling it with fresh seed. This is important â drying manually with a towel will always miss spots, and mold and fungus only needs a tiny amount of water to fester.
Lastly, as some of these diseases can also be passed on to us, be sure to always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling feeders or food and avoid touching your face or mouth while handling them.
Next time you are admiring your garden birds, take a few extra seconds to note any erratic or unusual behavior, and if you can get a good long look at any of the visitors, see if you can spot any disfigurations or unhealthy-looking symptoms like excessive feather loss, lumps or growths. Not only will paying closer attention help you recognise bird behavior which makes you a better birder, it will benefit the birds themselves, helping to prevent the spread of disease among their populations. And remember â keeping that feeder clean is a vital part of being a responsible bird lover.
About the authorSim WoodSim is our writer and researcher in charge of the Bird Buddy blog. She knows the calls and songs of 72 bird species, and is currently renovating her Slovenian property with her wife and winging it. Favorite bird: shoebill.
A Clean Bird Feeder for Healthy Birds
Because we adore birds, we want to always ensure their happiness and well-being. Unfortunately, diseases can spread quickly among the local bird population because you literally don’t know where that bird that just landed has been. In addition to drawing in birds, feeders serve as excellent sites for the growth of various bacteria because they are exposed to the elements and are outside.
The best way to ensure that every guest has a nutritious lunch is to maintain your Bird Buddy clean! We advise cleaning your feeder at least once a month. It won’t hurt if you clean it more frequently. We’ve taken care of the regular cleaning schedule, so you don’t need to worry about it. Of course, it’s important to keep an eye out: we recommend cleaning the feeder more frequently during wet weather, if there have been reports of salmonella in your area, or if you have seen sick birds in your yard. The Bird Buddy app will notify you whenever it’s time to clean your feeder!
As we have said, cleanliness is super important. So, keep not only your Bird Buddy, but the area around it free and clear of any droppings and discarded food. Also make sure there are no deep scratches on your Bird Buddy. We have taken this into consideration in its development, and made sure to design it without any sharp edges that could be dangerous to birds. It can also take a pretty harsh beating, so scratches should not be a concern, but better safe than sorry, right? You can read more about Bird Buddyâs durability here.
Is the food you’ve laid out not being consumed quickly enough by your guests? Keep an eye (and nose) out for any food that seems or smells off and replace it right away. This will stop any mold or fungus from developing and harming your guests.
Most importantly, be vigilant. Keep an eye on your local news for any updates regarding any possible disease outbreaks in your region. It doesn’t hurt to remove your feeder and give it a really good cleaning if you see any sick birds in the area. You might also want to keep your Bird Buddy tucked away inside until the area is deemed safe again, depending on how bad the disease is where you are. Even though you might miss your feathered companions, it’s more crucial to maintain the health and happiness of the local bird population so you can continue to appreciate them for all of their beauty.
Maintaining optimal condition of your feeder is not enough; cleaning it is the most crucial and successful measure you can take to stop the spread of avian illnesses. Birds may become ill from moldy or decaying seeds and hulls that build up on feeder trays. It is crucial to remember that fungi and bacteria can grow fast on bird tables, baths, and feeders, which can infect garden birds with infections.
Bird Buddy is very simple to clean and was created with our feathered friends’ safety and comfort in mind. Â The feeder’s drainage holes at the bottom allow you to flush it through with a water jet, and the dirt-resistant material ensures that you can use a wet cloth or sponge to wipe off any dirt that has accumulated on it. Using a bottle brush, you can give the seed container’s interior one last cleaning. The best way to clean the solar roof add-on if you bought it is to spray it with water and let it dry.
To keep your feathered friends safe, it’s also crucial to select the appropriate cleaning solution. We advise against using abrasive cleaners with abrasive sponges because they can harm the bird’s casing and pose a risk if they are inadvertently consumed. In the event that you choose to use a cleaning solution, any commercially available 2010 bleach solution will suffice.
Remember that wetness can cause mold to grow, which can make the seeds hazardous to consume, so be sure to completely dry your Bird Buddy before putting it back on its perch. Is that not enough? Bird Buddy can also be taken apart entirely for a deeper clean.
You can set up a reminder in the Bird Buddy app to ensure that you don’t forget to clean your feeder on a regular basis!
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About the authorBird Buddy Team
Clean Feeder, Healthy Birds
Bird feeders are a great way to draw birds to your yard, observe their beauty as they flock and flap around in an attempt to get at the delicious food, and help sustain their energy levels in the event that their natural resources become scarce. However, there is a responsibility that goes along with the delight of witnessing their existence; you have to keep your feeders clean.
Your local bird populations will probably be gathering around your feeders in greater numbers as breeding season reaches its midway peak in the northern hemisphere and as autumn turns into winter in the southern one. This could be because the birds are either showing the newbies around or gathering in large numbers as the cold weather gets worse and it becomes harder for them to find food in their natural habitat. This close proximity between them has the potential to be disastrous if the right circumstances are present.
There are many gregarious and sociable species that visit feeders, such as most sparrows, tits, and some finches, and then there are those that are solitary or only spend time with their breeding pairs. Whatever the arrangement, when they visit your feeder, they will all share one thing in common: your feeder
Imagine it as a fast-food restaurant with an exclusive all-you-can-eat deal; it’s hectic to find a seat, and you keep running into people. We should have learned from the recent global pandemic what can occur when large numbers of people congregate in one area. Add any disease to the mix, and you have a planet-sized petri dish where different organisms will go crazy trying to latch onto all those hosts.
Imagine that the fast-food restaurant is extremely sticky, that there are discarded food wrappers everywhere without anyone picking them up, and that there are piles of moldy, rotting food in the corners that are beginning to smell. This creates more opportunities for other nasty things to spread. The establishment ought to be closed down by the government, and its owners should never be permitted to work in catering again, but in the interim, harm is already being done.
Our bodies are a happy place for viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungi to have a field day. We bring those germs home with us, spread them throughout our home, and give them to friends and family whenever we see them.
Putting analogies aside, what occurs at your bird feeder may be far more hazardous for birds than anything we typically find in a squalid burger joint. Birds are deprived of the opportunity to visit a doctor, receive medication, and rest. To ensure the health and well-being of our feathered companions, we must exercise caution and do two relatively easy tasks: recognize the warning signs and clean your feeders.
One of the most prevalent and usually deadly illnesses that birds can contract is salmonella. Birds can contract salmonella, a bacterial infection, from one another through contaminated feeders and through their droppings and saliva. In a dry environment, it can live on feeder surfaces for several weeks, and in a wet one, for several months.
Lethargy, diarrhea, and lack of appetite are the symptoms. Affected birds may become so weak that they cannot perch or fly, which makes them less likely to flee when you approach.
Avian pox is a virus that, while usually not fatal, can cause a great deal of discomfort and distress. Fatality can occur via secondary causes. The virus is extremely resilient and persistent on surfaces for extended periods of time.
The virus causes wart- or tumor-like growths, usually on the bird’s head around the eyes or beak, on their legs and feet, and occasionally even on their wings. Symptoms: birds usually behave and feed normally, if they can. The growths can be gray, red, pink, or yellow in color, and they can grow quite large, impairing the bird’s ability to see, eat, and move. This leaves the bird extremely vulnerable to predators, starvation, and secondary infections.
Trichomonosis: also referred to as frounce in birds of prey and canker in pigeons and doves Because of a parasite that doesn’t live long outside of its host but has caused some severe outbreaks in the past, British finches saw sharp declines in the mid-2000s. It is passed via contaminated water or regurgitated food.
The disease causes symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, often with labored breathing, and wet plumage around the bill from drooling saliva or regurgitated food that the bird is unable to swallow. Sometimes the neck may also swell. Generally speaking, birds with fluffed-up feathers will be lethargic and may be sick for a few days or even weeks.
Aspergillosis: a pulmonary ailment obtained through the inhalation of fungal spores present in tainted feed or feeder waste The fungus Aspergillus is ubiquitous in our surroundings, especially in soil, nesting materials, and moldy food, and it is highly resistant to disinfection. Birds that consume seeds are more vulnerable to this because seeds typically lack vitamin A, which is necessary for strong immune systems.
Symptoms: difficulty breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, the infection can lead to death.
Colibacillosis: caused by the bacterium E. coli, which impacts a variety of garden bird species and hinders their ability to process food, can result in further issues. Though it is most frequently found in domestic poultry, it can also readily enter the outside world and, in severe cases, result in septicemia and death.
Symptoms: respiratory distress, fluffed up feathers, poor appetite.
The current strain of the bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is called HPAI, which stands for Highly Pathogenic. It is transmitted by coming into contact with infected nasal secretions, saliva, or droppings.
The list of symptoms is lengthy and distressing and includes a swollen head, closed, overly wet eyes, unresponsiveness, loss of balance and coordination, drooping wings and/or dragging legs, twisting the head and neck, and respiratory distress. It is impossible to overstate how serious the current bird flu situation is, and there are grave worries that it will quickly cause the extinction of entire species because it is aggravating the already dire circumstances that birds are already facing due to pollution and habitat loss.
However, compared to other wild birds like seabirds, whose colony lifestyles are seeing devastating numbers of deaths, garden birds are far less at risk. It is still crucial that you recognize the signs and report any dead birds you come across.
The birds at your feeder will suffer greatly from all of the aforementioned diseases, if not eventually die from them. The good news is that YOU can prevent them ALL by keeping your feeders clean. If you notice any symptoms, remove your feeders right away and contact your local wild bird experts. Following that, either wait for their all-clear or turn off your feeders for at least two weeks.
Using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water is the most effective way to clean a bird feeder. After emptying and disassembling the feeder as much as you can, immerse it in the bleach solution for at least ten minutes. After removing any debris or mold with a brush, give the feeder a thorough rinse with clean water. Before replacing the feeder with new seed, let it air dry fully. This is crucial because manually drying with a towel will never catch all the spots, and mold and fungus can grow with just a small amount of water.
Finally, remember to always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling feeders or food, and refrain from touching your face or mouth while handling them, as some of these diseases can also be transmitted to us.
The next time you are appreciating your garden birds, take a moment to notice any odd or erratic behavior. If you can get a close-up look at any of the guests, try to spot any deformities or symptoms that seem unhealthy, such as lumps, growths, or excessive feather loss. Paying closer attention will not only help you identify bird behavior and become a better birdwatcher, but it will also benefit the birds by halting the spread of disease within their populations. And never forget that being a conscientious bird watcher requires you to keep that feeder clean.
Please try again. Thank you for your support. Please follow us on our social media channels.
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About the author: Our writer and researcher for the Bird Buddy blog is Sim Wood. She is currently remodeling her Slovenian property with her spouse and making do without a plan. She is also proficient in 72 bird species’ calls and songs. Favorite bird: shoebill.
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