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Bird Feeding and Avian Bird Flu Resources


We have had numerous questions lately regarding Avian Bird Flu and bird feeding.  We did some research and found that most of the reports at this time have to do with shorebirds, geese, ducks, and some raptors. At this time there are no songbirds with any issues so feel free to feed your birds!  If something changes we’ll be sure to let you know.

If you are interested the two websites listed below have information and maps by4 state and are updated on a regular basis.


https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/data-map-wild-birds.html

This site is updated often.  You can scroll over the map to see the latest information. You can also search by state to see which type of birds have been affected along with the dates they were posted.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-wild-birds

This is the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service site.  The wild bird surveillance program provides an early warning system for the birds.  This site also shows a map and lists birds by state and date.

These websites share information and updates on the locations and types of birds being affected as well as the date.

So feed the birds and enjoy them, that said it is always important to clean your feeders, regularly.  This means washing with soap and then disinfecting with a 1-10 part bleach/water solution.  The bleach solution will disinfect the feeders and once rinsed the bleach will be dissipated.  Please note that vinegar will clean but NOT disinfect.  Bleach must be used.  Dirty feeders can transmit diseases like bird conjunctivitis, and we don’t want to spread any diseases among our beautiful birds.  Clean feeders can prevent this.

The takeaway is to keep the feeders clean and check one of the above-listed sites.   If you see that songbirds are being affected where you live, or if you see birds with conjunctivitis then you can take the appropriate action.

As the saying goes “Cleanliness is next to godliness”