What you can do to help the Birds

~Our Songbirds are Dying~

Avian Salmonellosis plagues Pine Siskins

I want to alert backyard bird enthusiasts to a growing problem with the Pine Siskin, Cardulis pinus, a small finch. These are very social little birds that congregate sporadically in large, dense flocks around backyard feeders in both North America and the United Kingdom. Pine Siskins are an irruptive species, which means that these birds move in irregular patterns.

Salmonella bacteria are generally benign inhabitants of soil around the world, and its impact on local bird populations is usually negligible. However, Avian Salmonellosis (Salmonella sp.) occurs when birds are concentrated at backyard feeding stations that evidence unsanitary accumulations of contaminated food and fecal droppings. Infections become active and spread rapidly to other individuals and the bacteria can survive in the environment for many months, summer and winter.

Bird seed itself is not believed to be the initial source of salmonellosis. Such infections have increased drastically since 1988 and is a problem to be reckoned with wherever and whenever Pine Siskins make stop-overs along their migratory routes.

The Pine Siskin is especially vulnerable to this infection by virtue of the sheer density and size of their migratory flocks. Sick individuals are constantly re-infecting the flock. Some infected birds may show no outward symptoms but are considered carriers of the disease and can spread it to other birds.

Avian Salmonella is linked to dirty feeders.

This is a closer look at a sick Pine Siskin at a heated drinker – note the yellow stripes on its wings which identify it as a Pine Siskin. Males have more prominent yellow stripes than females.

What to look for

You usually find sick finches in the vicinity of feeders. They appear fluffed up, reluctant to fly, they appear to be breathing heavily; and they look as if they are having difficulty swallowing. Often you will notice a soiled vent and also Nyjer seed sticking to their beaks that are coated with mucus. In advance stages of infection their crops become over-extended and death is imminent.

Damage to the gullet from salmonellosis is severe. It causes a partial blockage, preventing food from getting to the bird’s stomach even as it continues to eat.

What you can do

When finches congregate at feeding stations [which happens year-round as they migrate to new food sources, but particularly in winter] a general build up of bacteria occurs, contaminating the food and water, feeders, as well as the ground beneath feeders.

You can help prevent a build-up of potentially lethal bacteria at your feeding stations through weekly cleaning and disinfection of bird tables, feeders and drinkers. The areas beneath the feeders can also quickly become contaminated and should be kept as clean as possible, with any uneaten food removed on a routine basis. A good practice is to cover the ground beneath feeders with a thick, replenishable layer of pine needles that allow uneaten (possibly contaminated) seeds to drop out of reach of ground-feeding birds. Be sure to routinely rack and replenish these needles.

If you notice several or more diseased birds, take down all your feeders for at least a week to give the birds a chance to disperse.

If your feeders are suddenly inundated by Pine Siskins, reduce the number of Nyjer feeders (which they love) or elilminate them altogether and step up environmental cleaning routines, otherwise other birds will fall victim to the Salmonellosis infection. And that is already happening.

Walk around your yard during heavy infestations, for you may find dead Pine Siskins on the ground that you will need to remove.

But be careful to wash your hands thoroughly after every such encounter and before you interact with any household pets. Salmonella strains found in birds, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, can be dangerous to humans.

If dogs and cats eat an infected bird they can also get sick.

Careful, year-round observation of your feeding stations is vital

Particularly in winter months when late afternoon temperatures drop precipitously, you will see fluffed up Pine Siskins still hanging around feeders long after the rest of the flock have gone to roost. They don’t have the energy to catch up with their peers, or even to fly up into the protective branches of evergreens. They are also (literally) starving because they can no longer digest the food they eat. They are often easy to approach.

As darkness falls they can be found hugging the foundation of a house or other structure at the ground level, or holed up in a masonry crack near the ground. You will even find them hugging the base of garage doors or in piles of leaves in corners of buildings with their heads tucked under their wings.

Feeding birds may become a necessity

Note this comment from a member of the Florida Native Plant Society: "Biologists are worried that climate change may change rain patterns – timing and/or amounts – so that plants fruit weeks earlier or later. As a result, migrating birds who time their flight to coincide with certain fruits, seeds and/or insects being available en route may find their customary food supply unavailable. If they do not put on enough fat before they make their trip to tropical America, they may starve before they get there. So it's possible that feeding birds will become a necessity for their survival, not just an option."

Not all birdfeeders are safe

Many birdfeeder designs on the market are unsuitable for birds and they may even be harmful. Avoid the cutesy little feeders that don’t open easily for cleaning, which accounts for 80% of the feeders available in farm supply stores, hardware stores and popular discount stores. Particularly avoid feeders made of metal that will rust.

This feeder is nice but it has metal parts that are already starting to rust in its first season of use.

You get what you pay for in birdfeeders

Do the birds a favor and buy premium birdfeeders from reputable stores like Wild Birds Unlimited or from Duncraft Birds.

Look closely to see how a feeder is made. For many of the better feeders you can also get a large plastic dome that slips down over the top of the feeder to help protect seed from getting wet from rain or snow. Wet seed gets moldy fast and poses additional problems for our avian friends. The bigger the dome the better.

Mold is a killer

Never feed birds or wildlife of any kind stale or moldy foods. And don't leave out food that will mold on the ground. Such food is a breeding ground for salmonella and can cause food poisoning. If you do put out bread or chips or peanuts, check daily for signs of mold and pick up and trash any food that has not been consumed by dark.

Look for coated feeders and those made out of durable materials like this suet holder that is made out of recycled plastic. It is better for the environment and it lasts much longer than regular wood. The colors also do not fade.

This is a wire Nyjer feeder with an attached dome – it is small and easy to clean, and doesn't transmit disease as easily as a regular Nyjer sock feeder, especially when you have dense flocks of Pine Siskins visiting your feeders.

Finches abolutely love these Nyjer sock feeders but when a dense flock of Pine Siskins come through it is best to remove the socks to help reduce contagious salmonellosis. These socks need to be washed and cloroxed regularly.

The greatest winter challenge is staying warm

To keep warm in inclement weather, birds must consume large amounts of calories that are then metabolized to provide energy and body heat. Small songbirds eat continuously during the short daylight hours of winter to maintain their body temperature.  At night, they lower their body temperature to conserve energy.

Most non-migrating birds fill their crops before nightfall to keep up their caloric intake during the night. The availability of food, therefore, has a lot to do with a bird's chances of survival during long, cold wintery nights.

You can aid birds in winter by providing high quality foods that contain lots of oils and fats such as suet, black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts and nuts, cracked corn, seed mixed with millet, and Nyjer seed which is extremely rich in oils.

The basic recipe for bird feeder suet: mix together 1 cup melted suet, 1 cup peanut butter and 6 cups cornmeal. Possible additions include seeds, olive oil, nuts or raisins. Pack into a mold to cool and set.

You can buy bags of peanuts in the shell and crunch them before putting them out for the birds on a large plastic platter. This keeps things tidy and the birds seem to like foraging for the peanuts. It is a highly sought-after cold weather treat! Remove the peanuts at the end of the day to prevent mold from developing.

You can also provide a heated water source during cold weather, one that is certified for outdoor use. Scrub and bleach it regularly. You will enjoy watching the antics at the de-iced ‘spa’ that you provide!

Warn birds away from window collisions

When you place feeders around large expanses of glass it is important to also place ultraviolet decals on the outside of the windows to help prevent window collisions. Duncraft Birds has some excellent window strike solutions and they do work. Expect to replace these peel-off decals every 6-or-8 months as they eventually fade in direct sunlight.

Providing cover for birds is important year-round

Natural plant covers can also aid birds seeking protection from weather. By providing evergreen trees and shrubs you can offer a safe place for birds to escape the elements.

Native plants attract a greater diversity of songbirds and often in greater numbers as well. The flowers, foliage, leaf litter, etc. of native species also attract insects that the birds will feed on. Besides, native species of plants are better for the environment overall.

Additionally, you can arrange piles of logs and tree debris, including cut evergreen limbs, to create hiding places. Stacked cords of wood with tarps also provide excellent cover.

Don’t prune shrubs in winter! Yes, winter is the recommended time to prune but over-grown shrubs serve as warm lodging for many species of birds. Wait to prune until warmer weather arrives.

They are not songbirds but...

If you are a hummingbird enthusiast, this for you. You need to get Dan True's hummingbird video and also his book, Hummingbirds of North America. His new 'Hummingbird House' is also a fantastic find, don't miss it.

You can get all three at the above link. I can't recommend them more highly. The book is full of previously unpublished information about hummingbird migratory and nesting habits. And the 25-minute video offers breath-taking closeups of a mother hummingbird's life. It is a real treasure!

In summary

Birds face ever-increasing threats in our urban world and the least we can do is give them a fighting chance. Don’t be the typical person who puts out a feeder or two and forgets them. Be responsible and provide a safe feeding environment for our feathered friends. Learn about the birds that come your way and try to accommodate their critical needs.

Your efforts will be richly rewarded!

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Dr. Rudolph is a member of the Smoky Mountain Animal Care Foundation (SMACF) Board of Directors in East Tennessee. She is also an experienced wildlife rehabilitator and was long-time president of the Williamsburg Area S.P.C.A. Board of Directors in Williamsburg, VA [1979-1992]; as well as past president of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. You can find out more about her at www.drellenrudolph.com

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