Take Down Your Bird Feeders
If you’re like me, you have a bird-friendly backyard. For those of you that don’t know my wife, believe me when I say that’s a bit of an understatement.
Our family has made a focused effort to have birds feel at home around ours. Specialized houses, a diverse and seasonal rotation of bird feed, a couple bird bath options, and a focus on native flora are all steps we’ve taken to ensure an avian accommodating area. Our yard is a communal space where birds can socialize, share a meal, fight over that meal, and as it turns out, spread a neurological disease that is causing their eyelids to swell shut.
For over a month now, the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) in a variety of states have been tracking a rise in songbird deaths all showing similar swollen eyes, a crusty discharge, and neurological illness. It was first noticed in Ohio and D.C. but similar occurrences popped up in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and other southern states, and recently in Indiana. That’s right, it’s at the Illinois gate.
As sad as it is to have songbirds dying of a mystery disease, please note, this is also turning them blind. One of the noted symptoms is erratic flying because these flying balls of feathers with a spear for a mouth can’t see. Window strikes, not to mention birds flying into people is a very real risk.
Also note, predatory birds or birds of prey, often feed on the smaller songbirds If their food source disappears, birds of prey will follow. 12 species prominently reported so far including Blue Jays, European Starlings, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, House Finches, House Sparrows, Eastern Bluebirds, and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers.
This disease is new enough that the cause is still unclear. Some have suggested it has something to do with the cicada swarm this year and 17 years of bioaccumulating pesticides, but that’s pure speculation at this point. There is a lot about this disease that we still don’t know. We’re pretty sure humans can’t get it, but the DNR recommends not touching or letting any pets touch any downed bird you see just in case. Contact the DNR and they will take care of it. The scientists are pretty sure how it’s spreading so quickly though.
Bird-friendly backyards, like many of us have, invite birds to get close and share food and water. As we have all found out over the past 18 months, if a contagious disease is going around, getting together with others in close proximity, especially to share a meal or drink, is a bad idea. Our backyards are creating bird superspreader events.
Here’s what the DNR is recommending we do to make sure this stops at Illinois. First, take down any bird feeder and birdbath you have. Dump the contents; we have to assume it’s contaminated. Clean your feeders and birdbaths with a 10% bleach solution. Ideally, keep them down for a while. If the birds have no place to congregate, they have no place to spread the disease. If you insist on putting them right back up, (don’t) put little feed in and dump and clean it every night.
It’s not migration season for songbirds so there is a real opportunity to stop this disease while it’s slow. The DNR is on the case and issuing reports. As I often recommend, you can also contact the local chapter of the Audubon society; they’re really smart and really friendly. It will be sad to not see birds in my backyard as much as usual, but it’d be worse to not see them ever again.
