Bird feeders are becoming more common in backyards and on balconies across Canada. In fact it's estimated that more than five million Canadians have bird feeders.
Bird feeders are not limited to Canadians. Last year bird food sales in the United States topped $200 million.
While it is easy to put up a bird feeder and fill it with seeds, there is a certain amount of maintenance that goes along with that.
Imagine going to a restaurant where the kitchen, tables and bathrooms are never cleaned. Now take a look at your bird feeder. When was the last time it was cleaned?
A poorly maintained bird feeder may actually harm the birds you are trying to help by increasing the possibility of spreading diseases. Of the diseases known to affect birds using feeders salmonellosis is the most common. This bacterium can kill quickly and is spread by droppings which land on food. Other diseases include; trichomoniasis which is caused by a parasite; aspergillosis, caused when birds inhale spores from mold on dampfood and avian pox, a virus that causes wart-like growths on the featherless areas of a birds' face.
"You can easily spot sick birds in a crowd," says Rick Espie of Saskatchewan Environment. "They are less active, reluctant to fly, feed less and cower on the feeder. Sick birds are more vulnerable to starvation, dehydration, predation and severe weather. Although sick birds at a feeder can spread disease to other birds it doesn't mean that bird feeding is bad or should be stopped. However, it does mean that people have an obligation not jeopardize wild birds."
That obligation can be met in several ways, including; reducing crowding by using several feeders, making sure the feeders are at least three metres from places cats and other predators can use to hide, using a good blend of birdseed, keeping seed clean and dry and watching for mold in the feeder. If you find a dead bird, put it in the trash and shut down your feeders for a couple of weeks. This allows the healthy birds to disperse and lowers the chances of spreading diseases.
"One of the most important things you can do to help stop the spread of disease is to keep your feeders clean," says Environment's Espie.
"Clean the old seed out of them before adding fresh. At least once a month you should take the feeders down and immerse them in a liquid bath of one-part chlorine bleach and nine parts warm water. Keep the feeder immersed for two to three minutes and then allow it to air dry. It's also a good idea to clean up the seeds and waste on the ground under the feeder. Remember to wash your hands well after adding seed or cleaning the feeders."
You can also attract different birds by putting out different food. For example, grosbeaks, cardinals, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches like thick-shelled grey-striped sunflower seeds. During the summer many people add hummingbird feeders.
Environment's Espie says as hummingbirds eat nectar the best food for them is one part sugar to four parts water.
"Bring the water to a boil, add the sugar and bring it back to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar," says Espie. "Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned with warm, soapy water every time you refill them. They should also be cleaned if mold or yeasts start to grow inside them."
You may be able to find good sources of information about feeding birds in your local library or on the Internet.
For more information contact:
Rick Espie
Ecologist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-2461
respie@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
Bird feeders are not limited to Canadians. Last year bird food sales in the United States topped $200 million.
While it is easy to put up a bird feeder and fill it with seeds, there is a certain amount of maintenance that goes along with that.
Imagine going to a restaurant where the kitchen, tables and bathrooms are never cleaned. Now take a look at your bird feeder. When was the last time it was cleaned?
A poorly maintained bird feeder may actually harm the birds you are trying to help by increasing the possibility of spreading diseases. Of the diseases known to affect birds using feeders salmonellosis is the most common. This bacterium can kill quickly and is spread by droppings which land on food. Other diseases include; trichomoniasis which is caused by a parasite; aspergillosis, caused when birds inhale spores from mold on dampfood and avian pox, a virus that causes wart-like growths on the featherless areas of a birds' face.
"You can easily spot sick birds in a crowd," says Rick Espie of Saskatchewan Environment. "They are less active, reluctant to fly, feed less and cower on the feeder. Sick birds are more vulnerable to starvation, dehydration, predation and severe weather. Although sick birds at a feeder can spread disease to other birds it doesn't mean that bird feeding is bad or should be stopped. However, it does mean that people have an obligation not jeopardize wild birds."
That obligation can be met in several ways, including; reducing crowding by using several feeders, making sure the feeders are at least three metres from places cats and other predators can use to hide, using a good blend of birdseed, keeping seed clean and dry and watching for mold in the feeder. If you find a dead bird, put it in the trash and shut down your feeders for a couple of weeks. This allows the healthy birds to disperse and lowers the chances of spreading diseases.
"One of the most important things you can do to help stop the spread of disease is to keep your feeders clean," says Environment's Espie.
"Clean the old seed out of them before adding fresh. At least once a month you should take the feeders down and immerse them in a liquid bath of one-part chlorine bleach and nine parts warm water. Keep the feeder immersed for two to three minutes and then allow it to air dry. It's also a good idea to clean up the seeds and waste on the ground under the feeder. Remember to wash your hands well after adding seed or cleaning the feeders."
You can also attract different birds by putting out different food. For example, grosbeaks, cardinals, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches like thick-shelled grey-striped sunflower seeds. During the summer many people add hummingbird feeders.
Environment's Espie says as hummingbirds eat nectar the best food for them is one part sugar to four parts water.
"Bring the water to a boil, add the sugar and bring it back to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar," says Espie. "Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned with warm, soapy water every time you refill them. They should also be cleaned if mold or yeasts start to grow inside them."
You may be able to find good sources of information about feeding birds in your local library or on the Internet.
For more information contact:
Rick Espie
Ecologist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-2461
respie@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
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