Every March and April, I read news stories and am plied with questions about bird diseases and whether people should close down their feeding stations for the year or even permanently. We have it in our power to take a short term action so we are not accidentally assisting in the virus spread. I had planned to leave my feeders up until the redpolls disappeared. The main concern with songbirds is the chance that a rare individual might transmit an infection to poultry. As of April 5, 2022, this outbreak has spread from the Atlantic Flyway into the Pacific Flyway, though the majority of cases are restricted to the Atlantic Coast, Missouri River Valley, northern Great Plains, and Great Lakes. Update 05/04/22: We have received unofficial reports of five to ten songbird species testing positive for HPAI avian flu in North America. We will update this article as new information presents itself. Harriss Hawk Avian influenza is only rarely transmitted to humans, according to the USDA, but nevertheless our NestWatch project always advises good hygiene and highly recommends that people wear disposable gloves and/or wash their hands thoroughly after checking nest boxes. On a few occasions, Ive seen a hawk drop a bird while being harassed by robins or crows. They require minimal costs, minimal time, and the smallest levels of effort. Use a secondary basin, like this collapsible sink. During these unprecedented times, we recommend doing anything that we can to try and help our wild bird populations. 5 defendants of homicide cases indicted by Berkshire District, Two accidental deaths reported in Montague, Athol, New Northampton Director of Planning and Sustainability, Golf tournament held to benefit West Springfield, Springfield housing services receives funds to assist, Download the 22News Storm Team Weather App, Metchie addresses Texans in wake of leukemia diagnosis, Rosenqvist fights for job with pole-winning run at, Anaheim Ducks sign D John Klingberg for 1 year, $7, Chase Young wont play for Commanders in Week 1,, Pac-12s Kliavkoff jabs Big 12, touts future after, Manfred to senators: antitrust exemption stops city, Visiting Saratoga Race Course is fun for the whole, Local British invasion band performing at International. Avian influenza: Can humans get bird flu? Blue-winged Teal However, confirmation of songbird to songbird transmission in the wild may be imminent. 3. Most people search and refer to avian influenza as bird flu. Barred Owl With these infected birds, humane euthanasia is the only tool we have left to help them. Simple. It felt to me like a no-brainer. Almost all of my blogposts are transcripts of my podcast. Who serves the best wings in western Massachusetts. I always have twice as many feeders as I use so I can thoroughly clean them every 2 days, and every day when the temp is above 90. The government will pay for it when the large flocks are affected or the farmer. Heron sp. Our best practices for cleaning bird feeders are available on our website. For those who do not remove their bird feeders, increasing cleaning practices during this time can only benefit bird species while also minimizing the threat of any diseases being spread at bird feeders. The recommendations from Dr. Victoria Hall came as researchers are trying to learn more about the role of songbirds in HPAI outbreaks. We do always recommend that you clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly as a way to keep many kinds of diseases at bay. Hooded Merganser This afternoon, a staff member of the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in St. Paul posted on the Minnesota Ornithologists Union listserv that a crow tested positive here in Minnesota at the beginning of April. Red-shouldered Hawk Avian influenza is spread through fecal material. He suggested skipping the feeders this year. Because many of the dangers native birds face are due to humans, there are small, incremental steps we can take in our own homes and yard to help our favorite feathered friends: These small steps are actions anyone can take at home. Use a 10% bleach solution as part of your bird feeder cleaning process. Lesser Scaup What are the symptoms? That is not to say our feeders arent a serious factor and that we arent obligated to protect the birds drawn to our backyards from the risks our feeders and backyards pose. Short-billed Gull You can see a state-by-state map here. Suddenly people wer Every year during nesting season, people ask if its possible for wild birds to produce twins--two chicks from a single egg. This is genuinely tragic, but these species are all scavengers on waterfowl and occasionally on poultry farms, and seldom visit backyards or prey on small birds, so at least we know that feeder birds were not the likely source of the disease for them. According to Dr. Julianna Lenoch, director of the U.S. Department of Education APHIS National Wildlife Disease Program, there is currently a very low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds but people who keep domestic poultry, such as backyard chickens, should take down any feeders to help prevent HPAI spread. When we use avian flu, bird flu, or avian influenza in this article, we are referring to this current outbreak of HPAI A H5N1 and the associated subtypes being found in 2022 testing efforts. It is recommended that people clean their bird feeders and birdbaths regularly as a way to keep HPAI and other diseases away. Brown Pelican Songbirds are much less likely than waterfowl to contract avian influenza and less likely to shed large amounts of virus, meaning they do not transmit the disease easily. Even severe injuries may not be at all obvious on creatures whose feathers so effectively cover their bodies, so injured birds can be hard to distinguish from sick ones. Here in Duluth during migration, people on Park Point, along the shore, and in some neighborhoods often find five or more dead and dying birds in their yards due to window strikes, and despite Duluth's cat leash law, cats leave dead and dying birds strewn around, too. No, while this strain of avian flu will kill some wild birds, it is currently not a serious threat to most wild bird populations. While it may not be a serious threat to wild bird populations, monitoring wild birds for the disease can help agencies understand how the disease is spread and help to prevent infection of domestic flocks. Bald Eagle Wood Duck The first thing to remember is that birds do not need our feeders. And testing should be required for at least a reasonable percentage of sick and dead backyard birds suspected of having the disease. (Even without bird flu, this should be done at least twice a week both to keep the water sanitary for birds and to keep mosquito eggs from hatching and larvae from emerging.). Some commercial flocks as large as 5 million chickens have been slaughtered in an attempt to curb the spread of the highly contagious virus. Eared Grebe This should be everyones normal routine at winters end anyway. Every day at The Raptor Center, we are seeing the impact of HPAI- as we triage and test birds like bald eagles and great horned owls that are intensely suffering from fatal neurological illness due to HPAI. Double-crested Cormorant Previously we have not recommended removal because the risk of transmission is minimal to common feeder bird species, For those who do not remove their bird feeders, increasing, If you want to learn about our feeder recommendations that reduce the threats of certain diseases, check out our. Birds migrating by night are disoriented by light pollution. The staff member at the veterinary lab said if people find sick or dead birds, They can be tested at the Veterinary Diagnostic lab, but the person dropping off the animal will have to pay for it. I will keep scattering small handfuls of white millet and nyjer here and there in the yard, switching spots from day to day to maximize spacing among the birds. This avian flu is caused specifically by the type A virus that can infect domestic poultry and wild birds such as waterfowl, raptors, and shorebirds. Five dead Snowy Owls from New Hampshire to North Dakota tested positive. That year and ever since, Russ and I have raked under the feeders and disposed of the rakings in sealed plastic bags or, some years, in compost bins with screening to keep birds out. We also always recommend that you follow any recommendations put out by your state government, such as the recent request to take down feeders in Illinois. Click on the photo to subscribe. That was in the news a lot for weeks this year. As of 04/30/22, the first human infection of HPAI H5 viruses has been identified in the United States, per the CDC. If you want updates on diseases impacting birds, feeders, and other wildlife, join our site, where we provide researched updates frequently. Avian influenza does not affect all types of birds equally. As soon as enough human cases appeared, testing on birds for West Nile Virus ended. The loss of any bird life, especially raptors, is significant, but it should not permanently impact any species. (See. Sanderling Bird feces are obviously a source of disease organisms, and so is the ground itselfsome disease organisms that affect birds are soil-borne. Muscovy Duck And the vast majority of the others were other species of ducks, geese, and swans, along with a few individuals of other water birds that associate with waterfowl: Brown and American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, and Sanderlings, all of which were likely exposed via the droppings of sick waterfowl. Note that transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans is very rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As of 4/10/2022, multiple songbirds have tested positive for HPAI in the United States (earlier in Canada), though most common feeder species have not been reported to have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza and its subtypes. Northern Harrier Department of Education APHIS National Wildlife Disease Program. 2. Overview about the 2022 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. We had enough snowfalls that winter that we never saw a lot of spilled seed under the feeders until spring, but the melting snow revealed mountains of seed shells and wasted seeds on the ground, mixed in with months of accumulated bird poop. Parasitic Jaeger 1. People who work with affected birds are at a higher risk, as they are exposed to the animals feces and saliva. Some links may be affiliate links, leading to Amazon or other affiliate sites. This outbreak wont last forever and I, for one, am greatly looking forward to when I can safely hang my bird feeders back up! she wrote on Facebook. And definitely do not ever feed birds bread. This week, the Raptor Center in the Twin Cities made a very useful information page regarding bird feeding with this years avian flu. Do not use without permission or I will insert a large loon into you. Poultry farmers of course cannot afford for diseases to kill their birds, so a LOT of money goes into tracking, testing, and pro-active culling of infected birds. Birdwatching Tips: It's Summer Where Did the Birds Go? The Associated Press contributed to this report. - Keep birdseed safe from pests, The No "Flocking Around" Guide to Birdwatching for Beginners, Birdwatching in Yellowstone National Park - A guide to finding birds in Yellowstone, Bear Safety - Bear Spray - Bear Attack Prevention, Venomous Snake Safety - Preventing and treating Snakebites in the field, Rufous Hummingbird vs Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker vs Hairy Woodpecker - Identification of two black-and-white woodpeckers, I found a banded bird, now what? During these unprecedented times, we recommend doing anything that we can to try and help our wild bird populations. That birds succumb to diseases is not a new phenomenon. But after studying the issue, this is my plan for my own backyard right now, in a county where no known cases of bird flu have occurred in songbirds, hummingbirds, doves, woodpeckers, or predators of backyard birds, where there are no nearby poultry farms, and where no one nearby is feeding ducks or turkeys: I'm keeping the area under our feeders raked. However, it is typically only found in waterfowl, shorebirds, and the species that prey or scavenge upon the infected species. Some of the waterfowl were collected, dead and alive, specifically for testing; some were brought in by waterfowl hunters for testing. Any of these birds that congregate are susceptible, particularly water fowl, said Brian Roell, a biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Because the science is unclear on the role of songbirds in this current H5N1 outbreak, one consideration is to not encourage birds to gather together at places such as bird feeders or bird baths. Or, if you want to learn how to attract birds to your yard, read our tips here! The Ancient Mariner Meets the Lord of the Flies. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Stop feeding waterfowl. What happens when you become an instant billionaire? If you live south of the 40th parallel (40N), you should be safe to return your feeders by the 14th of May. The bird flu can spread among wild birds, specifically those who congregate, like vultures or eagles at a kill site. It sounds like there are birds stuck in my chimney. Peregrine Falcon Because the science is unclear on the role of songbirds in this current H5N1 outbreak, one consideration is to not encourage birds to gather together at places such as bird feeders or bird baths, said Dr. Victoria Hall, executive director and veterinary epidemiologist at The Raptor Center. Yes, this highly pathogenic avian influenza is a serious threat to domestic poultry. Roell said avian influenza is not typically seen in song birds, but it is possible that it could be spread at backyard bird feeders. Red-winged Blackbird (1, Michigan), American Black Duck For those of us living north of 40N, we need to keep feeders down until the end of May if in an area with active case transmission. Somehow, most of the media seem to be headlining this as EVERYONE TAKE DOWN YOUR FEEDERS NOW! Ring-billed Gull Brant Both Black and Turkey Vultures and 36 Bald Eagles have also been killed by it. Northern Pintail The bottom line (with my own emphasis on some sentences): The 2022 outbreak is unique because of the very high levels of transmission of the currently circulating H5N1 virus strain in wildlife. Book Review: A Warbler's Journey, by Scott Weidens Children's Picture Books about Birds, Part 2, Children's Picture Books about Birds, Part 1. For the love, understanding, and protection of birds, Overview about the 2022 avian flu outbreak. However, it is typically only found in waterfowl, shorebirds, and the species that prey or scavenge upon the infected species. These are not ground-feeding species. This year there has been NO effort to collect and test sick or dead backyard birds, and it doesnt look like there will be. Common Grackle (1, Montana) Canada Goose Rosss Goose Update 05/02/22: We have seen unofficial reports of 5-10 songbird species have tested positive, and the infection resulted in mortality. This avian influenza can have multiple subtypes but is often abbreviated as HPAI or H5N1, as mentioned above, to indicate that this strain is highly pathogenic, meaning it has a higher probability of killing its typical hosts, poultry. We have it in our power to take a short term action so we are not accidentally assisting in the virus spread. Why do birds leave the nest before they can fly? That should be standard practice for feeding hummingbirds anyway. If you want to visit the Roost (Flocking Around HQ), we guarantee you will see each of these efforts and more! 4. Those species are Dark-eyed Junco, American Robin, American Crow, Black-billed Magpie, Blue Jay, and Common Raven. Snowy Egret This is a nuanced and fair recommendation except for one thing: at this point in time, the ONLY known case for the Blue Jay was in Nova Scotia, and no one will divulge where in Minnesota the only known case of a crow happened. HIPAA privacy protections do not extend to birds, so there is absolutely no reason why the public shouldnt be informed IMMEDIATELY when a songbird in their county tests positive. Wingspan: A review of a fun, bird-themed strategy game, How should I store bird food? And in 1993, almost 30 years ago, I wrote in the April 7 entry in my first book, For the Birds: An Uncommon Guide, about keeping the seed shells and other matter that collects under bird feeders raked up to prevent birds from contracting and spreading communicable diseases. Red-necked Grebe If you have domestic poultry, extra PPE may be useful. Cormorant sp. American Robin (1, North Dakota) MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) Following the detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in 31 states, some wildlife officials are making suggestions to help prevent the spread of the virus. After visiting any park where waterfowl or raptors are present, thoroughly clean and decontaminate your shoes. Here are a few suggestions to prevent the spread of bird flu from various agencies and rescues: Report sick birds to your local wildlife agency. Please do not click on the following link if you have not read at least through page 57 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , since it Every year on January first, the moment I wake up I head to the window to see what my first bird of the New Year will be.