Bird Disease

This from a “would be” customer who entered my brick-and-mortar store. She confessed that she once watched birds and in fact, had a registered sanctuary in her back yard.

“And now,” I asked curious about the past tense.

“Well, I don’t want to get the Bird Flu or West Nile Virus. Folks, there is no measure for the degree to which this person is in need of “risk management 101.” These two diseases are no reason not to feed. Click on the links above to learn the facts!

There is some risk associated with bird watching, but the potential outbreaks of disease are not the types hyped by the media. More importantly, a clean bird feeding station will prevent any risk associated with backyard bird watching. So what are the potential bird diseases? Let’s take a look.

1. Avian Pox

   There are two forms of this bird disease. The more common form will cause a wart-like growth on the legs, feet, beak and eyes.

   The other will cause plaque-like growth on the throat, mouth, trachea and lungs which in turn causes difficulty in breathing. Both can lead to the infected bird’s death.

   This disease has been witnessed in dozens of bird species and is spread by contaminated food or water.

2. Conjunctivitis (also called House Finch disease)

   This will spread like wild fire among your house finches until they are blinded by swollen eyes and slowly die of hunger.

   A bacteria called Mycoplasma is the culprit. It has also been cited in goldfinches and Grosbeaks.

   Look for birds fluttering around aimlessly or standing motionless on the ground. Unfortunately, this disease is on the rise, and has been linked directly to dirty feeders.

3. Aspergillosis

   Healthy birds easily resist this disease, but birds stressed by a lack of food or water , harsh winters or overcrowding are vulnerable.

   The disease is caused by a the Aspergillus fungi (found in decaying seed, but are most likely to grow on corn or peanuts) and attacks the respiratory system.

4. Salmonellosis

   This bird disease is caused by a bacterial agent, and is also on the rise. Though research is still underway, it appears that dirty feeders may be a cause.

   This disease instigates the growth of lesions on the esophagus, though symptoms can be tough to discern. The disease is often transmitted by fecal contamination of food and water, though there is evidence of some bird to bird transmission.

   Infected birds will huddle together and display unsteadiness, shivering, loss of appetite, increased or decreased thirst, rapid loss of weight, irregular breathing, blood-tinged droppings that are often yellow or green, and closing of the eyes from inflammation.

   Eventually, death follows.

5. Trichomoniasis

   Usually infects pigeons and doves and inevitably, the birds-of-prey that eat them. Infected birds have difficulty closing their crops as the disease causes the lesion-like growth in the mouth, on the esophagus and on the crop.

   Infected or carrier birds can contaminate food and water through oral secretions which will, in turn, infect other birds.

That’s a bunch of bugs, isn’t it? Well, the good news is that you significantly reduce the chances of such diseases by maintaining a regular maintenance schedule. Clean feeders mean healthy birds

With that said, understand that disease is a natural part of the environment and, despite you best efforts, you may end up with an infected bird.

Click here to learn what you should do if you see a sick or dead bird.



I hope you found this article about bird disease useful. Click here for more great information about bird feeders and bird houses.