Birders asked to remove feeders, baths due to Avian flu risk

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This article was published 20/04/2022 (1416 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While experts say humans should not ruffle their feathers over avian flu, bird-to-bird transmission remains a risk, especially at local baths and feeders.

Spreading via infected bird secretions, a bald eagle was Manitoba’s first case, placed in the care of the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre before it died. The animal centre has since decided to stop admitting species susceptible to carry and transmit the virus, including waterfowl, gamebirds, shorebirds, and corvids.

All other avian species will be subject to a strict 30-day quarantine, rigorous medical examinations, and testing while any “non-admit” species will be euthanized “to protect others.”

“To be the most cautious, we’re suggesting that people take their bird baths and bird feeders down, and call if you see anything that looks suspicious,” said Zoe Nakata, executive director at the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre.

“We know that it’s quite rare for songbirds to get infections from avian influenza, but it does happen… Any time there’s humans artificially encouraging certain species to congregate, there’s a chance of infection.”

Alternatively, the government of Canada is suggesting birders hang their feeders in low-risk areas and sanitize the structures thoroughly. Nakata also stressed the importance of being aware of the types of birds that frequent feeders.

“Based on what we’re seeing in North America, as close as Minnesota and North Dakota, there have been crows that have been identified and have fallen to this infection,” said Nakata.

“So I would say just keep a very close eye on which species are feeding at your feeder and definitely disinfect them every 48 hours.”

With rigorous cleaning and care, many local birders are holding on to their feeders and maintain songbirds are not the problem.

“The biggest concern, of course, is the poultry farms,” said Sherrie Versluis, owner of the Preferred Perch wild bird specialty store. “But when it comes to the wild birds, there have been cases of it being found in raptors, like hawks and owls and some shorebirds, like ducks and gulls. But so far, there has not been any deep concern regarding songbirds.”

Versluis believes “everybody is just erring on the side of caution,” and local birders should keep their feeders up, as long as they follow proper cleansing protocols.

“Often birds poop on fallen birdseed, so it’s dirty, and that’s when diseases can start,” said Versluis, arguing “the biggest culprit of backyard birding issues is poor quality seed mixes.”

“Birds then dig through the seed mixes to find something worth eating and they end up throwing the seed all over the ground again.”

Debra Vandekerkhove, a local bird enthusiast, is taking precautions against the flu but is “more concerned with the cross-contamination and lack of inspections of factory bird farms.”

Vandekerkhove has three different stations for bird feeders and three other individual stations, to prevent cross-contamination. She uses a bleach solution to clean her feeders in the stations, before drying and isolating them for up to three days.

Active feeders are fed differently based on their location on Vandekerkhove’s property to prevent cross-contamination.

“I wear disposable gloves and have specific shoes only for walking to the feeders and back to the garage, where they are not used,” said Vandekerkhove. “It’s difficult to keep up with rotating bird feeders so I am using a lot of small cardboard boxes placed selectively around the property and then disposing of them every day, replacing them with a fresh little box.”

Wildlife Haven also recommends local birders replace this year’s feeders by planting “bird-friendly” native plants in backyards. Not only do plants such as milkweed, sunflowers, and Virginia creeper attract a variety of songbirds but are good alternatives for other wildlife, like butterflies, the centre said.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca