Save the Pine Siskins - Wash Your Birdbath, Prevent the Spread of Disease

The first rule of birdfeeding is to do no harm. That is, if you can't promise to keep those feeders clean, the birds are better off without them.

Ellen Blackstone of BirdNote writes "Sick and dying Pine Siskins are once again being spotted at feeders and birdbaths around the area. They are prone to salmonellosis, seemingly more so than some other birds. But all birds are at risk. People need to clean their feeders and baths regularly, every few days."

We're trying to help birds by feeding and watering them, but instead we're killing them! It's all too easy to forget to clean birdbaths and feeders this time of year when we aren't outside much...but the birds are still out there eating, and, sadly, falling ill...

What if you see a fluffed up, lethargic, sick looking bird in your garden sitting around on the feeder, eating or not. "You should take down the feeder entirely for several days," advises Ellen.  "Rake well under the feeder, because salmonellosis is spread through droppings. Also, spread mulch over the area." Learn more here.

Remember, you can create a bird buffet of a garden, by planting berryng plants and leaving plenty of seedheads standing in fall and winter to feed this little beauties well and safely...

Thanks to Mike Hamilton for these Pine Siskin photos.

 

Comments

[Colette]

Thanks for the reminder. All feeders and baths were scrubbed out today!

[Jane]

Nice bit of information and cute pictures