Is it safe to feed the birds?

NSBS recommends putting feeders out in the autumn after at least two hard frosts and removing them in the spring when the ground thaws.

There is always a risk of spreading disease when you feed birds or provide an artificial water source. Some illness, such as trichomonosis and conjunctivitis, are more likely to spread when birds come together. Because the risk is not from the food or water, it doesn’t matter what kind of feeder or bath you use. And it doesn’t matter if you spread seed on the ground, offer nut, suet, or seed in feeders, provide a pail to collect rainwater or have a bird bath. You can’t control the risk. Other illnesses result from rancid or moldy seed and contaminated water, and you have more control over this risk. Also, feeding birds has benefits to birds too, so it can be hard to know: Is it safe to feed the birds?

Here are some basics that make it safer to feed birds:

Watch and Clean
Keep an eye on the birds at your feeder, not just to see the various species, but also to notice if a bird looks unhealthy. It can be difficult to spot a sick bird, so it’s important to watch for birds that behave weirdly or look odd. Ask for help if you are not sure whether a bird is sick.

Environment Canada recommends that backyard bird feeders and baths be cleaned regularly using a solution of 25 millilitres of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite, 5%-6%) and 2 litres of water – that’s one part bleach to 9 parts water. Feeders and baths must be well rinsed and dried before re-use.

Trichomonosis
Trichomonosis is a parasite that is more prevalent in warm weather. According to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, trichomonosis spreads when food or water is contaminated with regurgitated saliva or droppings from an infected bird -- feeders and baths should be removed during outbreaks. Luckily, there is plenty of food and water available during warm months, so feeders are not really needed for birds to thrive. NSBS recommends putting feeders out in the autumn after at least two frosts and removing them in the spring when the ground thaws.

Avian Influenza
NSBS is seeing contradictory advice from various agencies located in regions where avian influenza presents a risk to birds. Environment Canada seems to have balanced the risks with the benefits, offering the following:

To minimize the risk of transmission of high-path avian influenza, do not handle or feed any wild bird by hand. Feeding encourages wild birds to congregate around food sources and can increase the probability of transmission among wild birds, both within and among species.

The use of bird feeders is still safe, but they should be removed from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals. If you care for poultry, prevent contact between wild birds and poultry by removing exterior/outdoor sources of food, water and shelter that attract wild birds.

NSBS recommends that people continue to report injured, sick or dead birds to the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables by calling 1-800-565-2224. The government also has a page with more information about AI.

Check the NSBS Facebook Page for the latest information on bird feeding.