SALTMER CITY – State life biologists are asking anyone who has bird feeders or birdbaths to temporarily remove or clean them if they detect any dead or sick birds due to an increasing number of sick or dead birds at feeders in northern Utah.
Officials said Tuesday they suspect the increase in a salmonella outbreak has been linked to the deaths of numerous songbirds in various U.S. states in recent months.
Salmonellosis, as it is officially called, is a bacterial disease that is transmitted through direct contact. According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, it usually spreads through contaminated feces.
Officials did not specify when the increase in deaths and diseases of songbirds began; they said that salmonellosis usually affects birds such as pine, golden finch and Cassin’s finches, but it can affect any bird that comes into regular contact with a bird feeder. Common signs of infection include tingling feathers, rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, neurological signs and diarrhea.
The recent increase in the sighting of sick or dead songbirds has prompted departmental biologists to urge Utahns who have seen sick or dead birds in their area to temporarily remove and clean all bird feeders and birdbaths for at least one month.
“We all love to see wild birds come to our feeders, but feeders that are not properly cleaned can pose a greater risk than a benefit to birds,” DWR biologist Adam Brewerton said Tuesday in a statement said.
Experts from the department said the removal of bird feeders and birdbaths would spread birds and help slow the transmission of the disease to birds. People are encouraged to wear gloves when handling one of the items.
After removal, people are encouraged to thoroughly clean their bird feeders and birdbaths with soap and water before disinfecting them with a 10% bleach solution.
“Soak it for at least 30 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely,” department officials wrote. “Clean the area under the bird feeder and remove any bird seeds that may attract birds to the area.”
Utahns who locate more than five sick or dead birds in their yards are encouraged to contact their nearest branch office, where officials can do disease testing if it happens in a new area.
The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources has reported over the past few months on outbreaks reported in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. California Department of Fisheries and Wildlife officials told KCRA in Sacramento last month that a salmonella outbreak in California was also reported in December following an increase in deaths of mostly American goldfinches and pine bears in the Bay Area and Sierra.
“Our laboratory documents periodic outbreaks of salmonellosis during the winter in pine trees,” Krysta Rogers, a senior environmental scientist for the California Department, told KCRA on February 8. “The previous major outbreak occurred between December 2015 and March 2016.”
But it’s not just biologists in the western US who are making a plea for residents to clean bird feeders and birdbaths. The Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in North Carolina also reported an outbreak in the Carolina region, according to WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Salmonellosis outbreaks of this nature are mostly reported during the winter months and spread by bird feeders, according to the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. The lab pointed out that humans and pets can be infected by sick songbirds, but they can be prevented.
“Common sense hygiene can be protected by human infections: hand washing, avoiding eating, drinking or personal care while handling animals or contaminated equipment,” it said.