Backyard birdwatchers need to be aware of a disease that is a threat to local birds as well as pets that roam outdoors.
Beautiful songbirds like cardinals and robins are common in North Carolina. Other varieties migrate over great distances to compete with them for food. This year, a heavy winter in parts of Canada had its impact on North Carolina.
"So this year there’s a shortage of tree seeds up in Canada," explained Greg Batts, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The concern, says Batts, is focused on two bird varieties that have arrived in the state in surprising numbers.
"I’ve worked for the Wildlife Commission for 15 years, and I have never seen this number of Pine Siskins," said Batts.
It’s not as unusual to see goldfinches in the area, but Batts says they tend to flock together at bird feeders with Pine Siskins. "You get a lot more chances of them encountering the bacteria and spreading the bacteria in the environment," explained Batts.
Across the state, he says there have been 53 reported deaths of these two bird varieties. "A little more than half of those have been in the Raleigh-Durham area," said Batts.
He says the dead bird samples have tested positive for salmonella infection, also known as "salmonellosis." Pine Siskins are carriers, according to Batts, and can infect a completely clean bird feeder.
Bird watchers are encouraged to throw out old seed and clean feeders once a week. Batts says the cleaning mixture should include one part bleach to nine parts water. After the feeder is doused in the solution, let it dry completely before refilling with seed.
Birds aren’t the only creatures in danger -- Batts says to beware of a bird’s behavior.
"If you see the birds out and they are acting depressed, lethargic, don’t let your pets go out there, because these birds could be easily approached."
He added, "If your pet goes out there and grabs up one of those birds and eats it, cat or a dog or something like that, your animal could get sick."
Batts says the problem should pass within the next three to four weeks so bird lovers need to remain alert, keep bird feeders clean and pets indoors.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission urges people to report any suspected salmonellosis cases by phone to 1-866-318-2401 or to e-mail HWI@ncwildlife.org.
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March 17, 2021 at 05:30PM
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