Beverly Hoffman
Keeping birds safe in our gardens
Published on Wed, Aug 11, 2010 by Beverly HoffmanRead More Hoffman
One of the delightful aspects of a garden is the opportunity to increase the numbers of birds that flit in an out of the garden. As we sit on our front porch, we love to see a hummingbird hover at the blossom on a butterfly bush. And who can forget the magic of watching the goldfinches with their bottoms up in the air as they eat from a feeder!
When we put a bird feeder or a bird bath in our landscape, we are vowing that we will be diligent in providing a sanctuary for birds. It is a responsibility and it takes time and effort to keep feeders and bird baths clean and disease-free so that birds don't contract salmonellosis or some other disease.
What are the responsibilities that we need to carry out?
First, the seed.
1. Buy a good quality of birdseed. If you buy seed with a lot of filler, the birds will root around in it. Seeds such as black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, peanuts, white millet, safflower or Nyjer (Niger) thistle will keep the birds from dumping it on the ground. (Wild Birds Unlimited has a "no mess" variety, which is a hulled blend of birdseed and is the cleanest way to attract a large variety of birds to a feeder. )
2. Birdseed should be stored in rodent proof containers so that birds don't digest any droppings.
3. Birdseed never should be put in wet feeders.
Second, the bird feeders:
1. Buy small feeders that come apart quickly and easily so that cleaning is easier.
2. Buy feeders made of plastic or recycled materials rather than wood ones, which can't be sanitized.
3. Remove all open feeder trays and platform feeders that allow fecal material and food to come in contact with each other.
4. Spread feeders far apart, which will reduce crowding of birds, which in turn reduces the birds' stress and potential for disease transmission between sick and healthy birds.
5. Periodically, move feeders to avoid the build-up of waste materials. Rake up and discard seed debris and bird droppings.
6. Wash the feeders and bird baths about every two weeks. Bleach with about one part bleach to nine parts of water. Soaking them for about 20 minutes helps. Then rinse. Rinse. Rinse. And dry completely.
7. It's best to wear gloves and to clean feeders outside rather than in the kitchen sink. Salmonella and other disease causing organisms affect humans as well.
8. Hose off the area under the feeders to dissipate the bird droppings
Further precautions:
1. Keep pets away from bird carcasses and away from the debris under bird feeders or birdbaths.
2. If a dead bird must be disposed, wear rubber gloves or place a plastic bag over your hand to pick up the dead bird. Place it in two plastic bags and bury it. Make certain you wash your hands well with an antibacterial soap.
I talked with Christie Lassen of Wild Birds Unlimited on U.S. Highway 101, east of Sequim, and she has not had a report of any salmonella this season. She said many juvenile goldfinches are all fluffed up right now, which some identify as a symptom of salmonella. Not necessarily true.
Birds infected with salmonella tend to huddle and may appear to be very tame. They shiver, appear unsteady, have drooping heads and wings and have little appetite. Their droppings are yellowish or greenish and possibly bloody.
Christie said that there can be an outbreak of salmonella (part of nature's natural selection) during a season, especially when the weather is moist and warm. Her advice is to keep the feeders and bird baths clean. Most contamination comes from dirty feeders and bird baths or where the birds, such as finches, grosbeaks and pine siskins roost on top of each other and are the ones most likely to contract salmonella.
Need a few ideas of plants that attract birds? A few herbaceous plants are asters, fennel, globe thistle, grasses once gone to seed, valerian, etc. Shrubs that birds love are the ceonothus, honeysuckle, kinnikinnik, Oregon grape, red twig dogwoods, viburnums, etc. Several trees are the Douglas-firs, pines, vine maples, yews. More important than any one plant is to provide a diverse habitat where food, shelter and water help protect birds.
When we put a bird feeder or a bird bath in our landscape, we are vowing that we will be diligent in providing a sanctuary for birds. It is a responsibility and it takes time and effort to keep feeders and bird baths clean and disease-free so that birds don't contract salmonellosis or some other disease.
What are the responsibilities that we need to carry out?
First, the seed.
1. Buy a good quality of birdseed. If you buy seed with a lot of filler, the birds will root around in it. Seeds such as black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, peanuts, white millet, safflower or Nyjer (Niger) thistle will keep the birds from dumping it on the ground. (Wild Birds Unlimited has a "no mess" variety, which is a hulled blend of birdseed and is the cleanest way to attract a large variety of birds to a feeder. )
2. Birdseed should be stored in rodent proof containers so that birds don't digest any droppings.
3. Birdseed never should be put in wet feeders.
Second, the bird feeders:
1. Buy small feeders that come apart quickly and easily so that cleaning is easier.
2. Buy feeders made of plastic or recycled materials rather than wood ones, which can't be sanitized.
3. Remove all open feeder trays and platform feeders that allow fecal material and food to come in contact with each other.
4. Spread feeders far apart, which will reduce crowding of birds, which in turn reduces the birds' stress and potential for disease transmission between sick and healthy birds.
5. Periodically, move feeders to avoid the build-up of waste materials. Rake up and discard seed debris and bird droppings.
6. Wash the feeders and bird baths about every two weeks. Bleach with about one part bleach to nine parts of water. Soaking them for about 20 minutes helps. Then rinse. Rinse. Rinse. And dry completely.
7. It's best to wear gloves and to clean feeders outside rather than in the kitchen sink. Salmonella and other disease causing organisms affect humans as well.
8. Hose off the area under the feeders to dissipate the bird droppings
Further precautions:
1. Keep pets away from bird carcasses and away from the debris under bird feeders or birdbaths.
2. If a dead bird must be disposed, wear rubber gloves or place a plastic bag over your hand to pick up the dead bird. Place it in two plastic bags and bury it. Make certain you wash your hands well with an antibacterial soap.
I talked with Christie Lassen of Wild Birds Unlimited on U.S. Highway 101, east of Sequim, and she has not had a report of any salmonella this season. She said many juvenile goldfinches are all fluffed up right now, which some identify as a symptom of salmonella. Not necessarily true.
Birds infected with salmonella tend to huddle and may appear to be very tame. They shiver, appear unsteady, have drooping heads and wings and have little appetite. Their droppings are yellowish or greenish and possibly bloody.
Christie said that there can be an outbreak of salmonella (part of nature's natural selection) during a season, especially when the weather is moist and warm. Her advice is to keep the feeders and bird baths clean. Most contamination comes from dirty feeders and bird baths or where the birds, such as finches, grosbeaks and pine siskins roost on top of each other and are the ones most likely to contract salmonella.
Need a few ideas of plants that attract birds? A few herbaceous plants are asters, fennel, globe thistle, grasses once gone to seed, valerian, etc. Shrubs that birds love are the ceonothus, honeysuckle, kinnikinnik, Oregon grape, red twig dogwoods, viburnums, etc. Several trees are the Douglas-firs, pines, vine maples, yews. More important than any one plant is to provide a diverse habitat where food, shelter and water help protect birds.
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