American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins / Betsy Bass / Great Backyard Bird Count
Update December 2021
December 16, 2021
In the Seattle area, PAWS Wildlife Center is receiving Pine Siskins ill with salmonellosis and has received reports of sick birds at bird feeders.
Even before detecting sick birds in your own yard, to mitigate the spread of salmonellosis, feeders should be cleaned regularly and the ground under feeders should be cleaned more diligently as droppings will contain the bacteria.
- Wear gloves to protect yourself.
- Clean your feeders with warm, soapy water. Disinfect with a 10 percent bleach solution to kill the bacteria. Rinse the feeder and allow it to dry completely before using it again. Disinfect your birdbaths as well.
- Clean your bird feeding area by washing all structures holding your feeders and raking the ground surrounding the feeders.
- Watch for these signs of illness: a seemingly tame bird on or near a feeder. A bird may appear lethargic, fluffed up, have its head tucked under a wing, and may be easy to approach.
- If a sick bird is detected in your yard/at your feeders:
- take down all feeders for three weeks and thoroughly clean the ground underneath the area.
- If you continue to feed birds, mitigate risk by daily cleaning and putting out just enough food for a day.
- report sick birds to WDFW through thier online reporting tool.
- If you discover a dead bird, secure it in a plastic bag and deposit in the trash. Keep pets from coming into contact with sick or dead birds or areas where sick birds are observed.
- take down all feeders for three weeks and thoroughly clean the ground underneath the area.
- If a sick bird is detected in your yard/at your feeders:
- Review the FAQs from WDFW for further information.
Update Spring 2021
This article was updated March 26, in response to latest guidance from WDFW.
Update (March 26 & April 4)
- Slowly reintroduce feeders around April 1, with caution.
- Consider reducing the number of feeders offered.
- Consider feeders that accommodate fewer birds, e.g. tube feeders.
- Limit the amount of food offered, e.g. one or two days’ supply.
- Wear gloves or wash hands thoroughy with soap and water for handling feeders or bird baths.
- April 4: The CDC is reporting six cases of salmonellosis in people in Washington, linked to contact with wild birds. Read more here.
- Wear gloves when disposing of dead birds and wash hands afterwards.
- Report sick or dead birds to WDFW.
We will update this post as more information from WDFW becomes available. Read Seattle Audubon’s complete Salmonellosis resource page for additional background and details.
Background
Many people around the country have discovered or rekindled a love of backyard birdwatching during the pandemic. If you, like us, are among them, you might have noticed an especially large number of Pine Siskins visiting your neighborhood this fall and winter*. This phenomenon is what’s known as an ‘irruption,’ a dramatic increase in the population of a species outside their normal range. In fact, according to the National Audubon Society, this irruption is one of the largest ever recorded and is likely caused by a low supply of conifer seeds in the boreal forest of Canada.
While this irruption has been entertaining to witness, some apparent consequences have unfortunately emerged. Seattle Audubon has been receiving many calls and reports of birds that are very easily approachable in local backyards and parks. These birds may simply appear “tame,” but the truth is more disheartening.
The wildlife rehabilitation team at Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has reported a significant number of Pine Siskins being admitted to their hospital suffering from salmonellosis. This disease is caused by an infection of the bacteria salmonella. Transmission occurs through contact with the feces and saliva of infected birds, and is not unique to Pine Siskins, though they appear to be the most significantly affected at this time. In addition to being easy to approach, sick birds become lethargic, hold their feathers away from their body and appear “puffed up.”
*Note: this irruption occured in the fall through early spring of 2020–21.
Recommendations
In response, Seattle Audubon urges our members and the public to follow the recent recommendations issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Agency experts are currently recommending to temporarily remove bird feeding stations. This includes feeders of all types, not just seed feeders. Hummingbird feeders and suet feeders, not typically used by siskins and other finches for feeding, have been reported to serve as perches for sick birds, which can spread the disease to other species. WDFW is expected to provide guidance on the timing for a return to normal, but current recommendations are in effect until at least April 1.
If you wish to continue feeding birds, feeders and birdbaths should be cleaned daily with warm, soapy water and disinfected with a 10% bleach solution. After cleaning and disinfecting, feeders should be rinsed and allowed to dry completely before the next use.
Seattle Audubon also repeats its perennial call for community members to keep cats indoors. This is always the safest course for both cats, birds, and other wildlife, but especially now. Domestic cats are also susceptible to salmonella infection from contact with sick birds, which will be easy prey. Dog owners should also pay special attention to their canine companions at this time.
If you see a sick or dead bird, you should report it to WDFW. Unfortunately, there is little that wildlife rehabilitators can do to help these birds and the disease is almost always fatal. If you must dispose of a dead bird, wear gloves and dispose of the body in the trash, bagged in plastic—wash your hands immediately afterwards.