A Clean Station

In recent years, there have been unprecedented reports of songbird mortality, and research seems to point the finger at poorly maintained stations.

To minimize the risk of disease, take the following steps:

• Commit to a schedule of routine maintenance. Clean:
  • Your feeders

  • Bird baths

  • The ground beneath the feeders

  I recommend hot water and detergent, but many experts suggest a mild bleach solution. If you choose to use bleach, be sure to thoroughly rinse the feeder prior to refilling.

• Higher quality seed is best for your birds as it does not tend to mold the way seed blends full of fill do.

• Use multiple feeders as a crowded stress birds, which in turn causes vulnerability to disease.

• Novelty feeders are often nice, but sometimes have sharp edges. Watch for this as a simple nick on a birds leg can easily infect it.

It’s important to remember that animals get sick naturally. Your efforts at a clean station are designed to reduce the risk, but you still may see a sick bird. Don’t wait to act. A sick bird will behave differently than others—they are less active, a bit lethargic.

Take action!

If bunches of birds are huddled together at the feeder and behaving oddly, it’s too late—the disease has already spread.

And remember, too, that the purpose of this article is not to deter you from feeding birds. It’s perfectly safe activity and in fact is encouraged by leading authorities including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All hobbies, however, have a “messy” side….

Take the aforementioned steps and you are practicing “responsible” backyard bird watching.



I hope you found this article about keeping a clean station for the birds useful. Click here for more great information about birds and disease. Click here for more great information about bird feeders and bird houses.