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March 1998
Feeding birds is an activity that many of us enjoy.
We do it to help the birds and because we take pleasure in their
presence. There are
responsibilities, obligations really, we accept when we do this.
An essential responsibility is proper sanitation and maintenance of
feeding stations so that we don’t undermine our good intentions. The
National Wildlife Health Center of the U.S. Geological Survey conducts
research on diseases in wildlife. They
are reporting unprecedented songbird mortality events. Looking into the causes
and the means of preventing or reducing outbreaks of the diseases, they have
identified backyard-feeding stations as playing a significant role.
There are five diseases associated with bird feeders, all of which can
lead to death directly, or indirectly because the birds are more vulnerable to
weather, poor nutrition and concurrent infections.
The causes of the diseases are food and water contaminated by mold,
fungus and infected feces, and surfaces contaminated by viruses from other
sick birds. We can recognize sick birds because their feathers look unkempt,
and they are less alert, less active, feed less, and are often reluctant to
fly away.
You can prevent or reduce disease problems at your feeders by taking
the following measures.
Every few days clean up waste food and droppings from the ground. A shovel and broom work well for this.
Avoid
crowding by providing ample feeder space.
Use
feeders that don't have sharp points or edges.
Bacteria and viruses on contaminated surfaces infect healthy birds
through even small scratches.
Clean
and disinfect feeders once or twice a month, and more often if you observe
sick birds. Immerse an empty
cleaned feeder for three minutes in a solution of one part liquid chlorine
household bleach and nine parts warm water.
Allow the feeder to air dry.
Use
only good food. Discard food
that smells musty, is wet, looks moldy or has fungus growing on it.
Discard any food that has had rodents in it. Disinfect the storage
container and food scoop that have come in contact with the spoiled food.
Every
day, rinse birdbaths and replace the water.
Twice a week scrub them with a plastic bristle brush and mild dish
detergent, and rinse thoroughly before refilling.
Prevent
diseases by taking these steps, and don't wait until you notice sick
birds.
Tell
your neighbors who feed birds about these precautions.
Birds move among feeders and spread diseases as they go.
Hummingbirds and orioles will be returning
in early May. Feeder nectar
ferments in two to three days, and fermented nectar causes enlarged livers in
hummingbirds, and may have the same effect on orioles. Buy nectar feeders that
come apart so that all surfaces can be scrubbed.
Every two days, nectar feeders should be washed, rinsed, disinfected with
the bleach and water solution, rinsed again and allowed to air-dry.
I alternate two feeders, so that I don't have to wait for one to dry
before putting out fresh nectar. You
might decide to put out nectar feeders from May 1 to June 1, because natural
sources are scarce when the hummingbirds first return from their migration and
their energy resources are low. You
could then resume feeding from September 1 to October 15, when the hummingbirds
need energy for the migration south and the natural nectar sources are fewer.
Between times, focus on plants and shrubs that provide flower
nectar.
Many people feed suet all year, but sun-warmed suet can cause infected
follicles and loss of facial feathers. It
can mat feathers, reducing insulation and waterproofing.
Use suet only from October through April or May, depending on the
temperatures.
There
are several other things to think about when inviting birds into your yard.
Irregular
feeding may be a disadvantage for birds that establish habitual foraging
patterns.
Free-ranging
cats prey on birds feeding on the ground and at feeders.
Placing feeders 10 feet from cover, and birdbaths 15 feet from
cover, helps to lessen this danger.
Many
birds die each year from landscape pesticides, when they eat pesticide
granules or eat poisoned prey, such as insects.
You can reduce or eliminate your use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides by using disease and pest resistant plant varieties,
cultivating native plant species, and reducing the lawn area.
Manage your yard to increase natural insect predators such as ladybugs, praying
mantises, toads and birds. Leaf
mulches and compost will add nutrients to the soil.
When we attract birds to our yards, we want to offer an environment free of dangers from human practices. Feeders should be thought of as a supplement to natural foods, not a replacement for them. Natural sources of food that we can plant in our yards include shrubs and trees that bear berries, and fruits, evergreens with their seed cones, and plants that provide flower nectar and seeds. Plantings also provide the equally necessary habitat component of cover, for shelter from the elements, nesting, hiding from predators, perching and resting. We feed birds to help them and because we enjoy watching them. Plantings for wildlife increase the appeal of our yards, and so serve both purposes. If you would like to learn more about plantings for birds and other wildlife, or about bird feeding, please call me at 1-800-287-1458. Each of us doing our part to help wildlife makes a really big contribution overall.
By Nancy Coverstone (ncstone@umext.maine.edu), University of Maine Extension Educator in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties
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