The Salmonella bacteria are spread at feeders contaminated by feces, or by eating feed off the ground. Salmonella bacteria can also cause illness in humans and domestic animals. Sick birds cannot swallow feed because of an infection in the throat. Sick birds may starve to death.
Should I empty my bird feeder?
Reliably filled bird feeders will attract more birds. To get birds coming to a new feeder, you'll want to keep it full and not let it get completely empty. However, once a feeder is established, you may want to let the feeders go empty completely every couple of weeks in order to clean the feeder.
Can you get diseases from bird feeders?
Salmonella can spread between species of birds, to pets, and to people. CDC will provide more information as it becomes available. You can get sick from touching a wild bird or something in its environment, such as a bird feeder or bird bath, and then touching your mouth or face with unwashed hands.
What is the most common disease in feeder birds?
Salmonella. This is a relatively common cause of mortality in feeder birds, but the symptoms are not always obvious. Sick birds from salmonella bacteria may appear thin, fluffed up and depressed and may have pasted vents and swollen eyelids. They are often lethargic and easy to approach.
Can you get bird flu from bird feeders?
Although songbirds are less vulnerable than other species to avian flu, there is still the possibility of avian flu spreading at your feeding station if it is near domestic poultry flocks or if waterfowl, raptors, or other wild birds visit.
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What is the most common disease in feeder birds?Where should you not put a bird feeder?
