Several Chatham Chatlist members posted this morning about the query concerning the amount of dead finches spotted –
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 12:34:24 +0000 (UTC)
From: Audrey Joy
Subject: dead birds
Although I personally have not found any dead birds, there does seem to be an outbreak of salmonellosis in birds. Here are some articles about it. Basically, the best thing for you to do is remove (or at least thoroughly clean) the bird feeders and bird baths for now. It seems that peanuts are the original source of the problem, but the disease can be spread between birds from contact with feeders and bird baths.
allaboutbirds.org/news/health-update-peanuts/
birds.cornell.edu/home/search/?q=salmonella#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=salmonella&gsc.page=1
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 08:45:45 -0400
From: Patty White
Subject: Re: dead birds
Thanks, that’s what I thought too. That and any other info should be put on the chatlist. So far one other person is finding them on their property.
On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 8:34 AM Audrey Joy wrote:
> Although I personally have not found any dead birds, there does seem to be
> an outbreak of salmonellosis in birds. Here are some articles about it.
> Basically, the best thing for you to do is remove (or at least thoroughly
> clean) the bird feeders and bird baths for now. It seems that peanuts are
> the original source of the problem, but the disease can be spread between
> birds from contact with feeders and bird baths.
>
> allaboutbirds.org/news/health-update-peanuts/
>
> birds.cornell.edu/home/search/?q=salmonella#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=salmonella&gsc.page=1
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:13:55 +0000 (UTC)
From: stephanie talbott
Subject: Patty White and Dead finches
WRAL news has been doing broadcasts about birds dying from salmonella, and it is related to climate change and a mild winter. We also have had dead birds, intact, not having been killed/maimed by a predator. We also noticed the birds seemed lazy and had a low energy, slow flight capacity.. My understanding is that if domestic animals eat the dead birds, they too can contract salmonella. The news recommended taking up bird feeders for about 2 weeks to decrease congregate activity and transmission of salmonella, and of course clean the feeders, then I guess put them back up again. I’d be interested if anyone knows of any other measures we should be taking.
Stephanie Talbott
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Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:16:35 -0400
From: Bronwyn Watson
Subject: Finch deaths
There is apparently an outbreak of Salmonellosis in NC and the source has been found to come from birdfeeders. They recommend emptying the feeders for about 2 weeks to interrupt the transmission of the bacteria.
Here’s a link:
ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/salmonellosis-likely-linked-to-bird-feeders
Bronwyn Watson
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Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:18:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: Patricia Mccarthy
Subject: Re: Chatham Chatlist #6953
I also saw a dead finch along the road when walking with no apparent injuries.They are such a beautiful bird.
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Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:50:14 -0400
From: Kathy Zinn
Subject: Dead finches
I appreciate the notice on the poor dead finches! – are these Goldfinches?
(I don’t know my finches except for that one) . I’ve never seen this where I live, 1 mile from downtown P’bo. Where in the county is this happening?
Thanks,. and also, I’m so sad to hear this! Kathy Zinn
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Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:58:13 -0400
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Dead Finches
Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have received a concerning number of reports over the past few weeks of dead goldfinches and pine siskins in yards across the state. In response, biologists had multiple carcasses tested and the preliminary results point to salmonellosis.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending that if you own a bird feeder you should clean it frequently with a dilute bleach solution (no more than 1-part bleach to 9-parts water) and allow the feeder to dry completely before refilling,” stated Wildlife Biologist Greg Batts of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “If you suspect salmonellosis, the only option is to remove the feeder completely for a period of two to three weeks.”
atts knows removing feeders isn’t a popular solution, especially for bird enthusiasts who may own many feeding structures, but it’s imperative for the health of the birds. Even after intensive cleaning, re-contamination commonly occurs where birds are being fed because the disease is shed by feces and some birds are carriers. Consequently, it is not recommended that people scatter bird seed on the ground either because birds can acquire salmonellosis while feeding together in these situations also.
All of this is copied directly from ncwildlife.org/News/salmonellosis-likely-linked-to-bird-feeders
What they don’t mention is that whenever you touch bird feeders, you are likely coming in contact with bird droppings (feces) and should promptly wash your hands.
alcooke
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 14:54:20 +0000
From: Robert Soots
Subject: Dead Finches
Regarding the message shown below, I have observed sick house finches, goldfinches and especially pine siskins in our backyard on and around my bird feeders. We live in Pittsboro. The birds are lethargic, and their abdomens are very enlarged. Also, eyelids are closed in some of them. I have also received reports of sick birds from fellow bird watchers in other parts of the USA. The salmonella was first reported in the pine siskins.
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2021 13:56:01 -0400
From: Patty White
Subject: Dead finches
Is anyone else finding dead finches at their place? I am finding at least one a week just stumbling across them in random spots around our property. I saw where they were becoming infected with salmonella out West and in PA and there is a high mortality rate there, but no articles about it here. The birds are intact so I know
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 11:53:08 -0400
From: Liz Cullington
Subject: re dead finches, Salmonella is here
I thought someone had posted about this. Drat. I saw an article in the News and Observer but I failed to save the link somewhere I can find it now. It explained a bird mystery from 6 months ago (live infected bird). We apparently have a really bad epidemic here. Heartbreaking.
Liz Cullington
ncwildlife.org/News-Archives/salmonellosis-likely-linked-to-bird-feeder
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 18:42:00 +0000
From: Shelly Ryder
Subject: Re: Dead finches
The salmonella and conjunctivitis disease is prevalent around here to. There are many posts about it in the Carolina Bird Photo Sharing Facebook group. I hope it doesn’t get to my house. Sounds like it might be at yours though. They say to take down your feeder for at least 2 weeks.
