Help Stop the Spread of Bird Disease
Posted by Jayme on May 9, 2008
Prevention is key to stop the spread of bird diseases to humans and other birds. Backyard bird feeding has been a favorite pastime for many homeowners. However, birds can carry various diseases that can be passed along to other birds and sometimes to humans through their saliva and feces. >>What To Do If You See A Sick Bird
Birds can become sick after eating leftover feed that has become moldy and from bird poop that piles up around the feeder. Promote a healthy feeding environment for birds, and you for that matter, by routinely cleaning your feeders. >>About Birds and Bird Feeding
Feeder Care
- Clean feeders once every 2 weeks or more often if you have heavy traffic.
- Wash your feeders thoroughly in soapy water then soak or rinse in a solution of 1 parts bleach to 9 parts water.
- Completely dry before refilling with bird seed.
- Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every 3 to 5 days when you refill the nectar.
- Remove any excess seed that accumulates on the ground below the feeder.
Birds play an important role in ecological balance by propogating plant life and controlling insects. A healthy population is vital in maintaining other natural resources. Whether you live in urban, suburban, or rural areas, there are birds that need your help. >>Getting Started: What You Can Do
More Safe Feeding Resources
- Safe Bird Feeding
- Is Backyard Bird Feeding Helping or Hurting?
- National Wildlife Health Center
- Feeder Placement and Landscaping
May 10, 2008 at 3:00 pm
great information. We love our backyard birds. I clean and refill the birdbath every morning before work. We love watching them.
May 11, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Hi Jayme, A very good post again.
May 12, 2008 at 6:29 am
Hey there, I have not visited in a while. I love all this information on birds. I have a question. Would you have any idea why my 5 hummingbirds have left. My friend lives on the other side of town and hers are gone too. Thanks for sharing all of this info.
May 12, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Good to hear from you Valerie!
Without knowing much information about your area, I am not sure why your hummers have left. Did they arrive this spring then leave? Shortly after their spring migration from Central America, the females begin to nest. If you saw hummers earlier this spring, they were probably the males stacking out the best feeding territories.
During the nesting period, females won’t venture far and seek out insects to feed their young. Unless the nest close to your feeders, you won’t see many during this period. Once the chicks leave the nests, you may see a larger group visiting your backyard feeder, especially as the natural food supplies deplete during the late summer months. Here is a link to the 2008 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migratory Map . As you can see, the farther away from the warmest southern states, the later the hummers return from their spring migration.
Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me via e-mail if you have more questions.