It is a disturbing sight for a well-meaning bird watcher to find a dead or dying bird under their birdfeeder. But it has been happening with alarming regularity in Muskoka this winter, specifically with the redpoll species, a small, light-coloured finch found in small flocks around feeders in Muskoka in the wintertime. The cause has been determined to be an outbreak of salmonella poisoning.

  “I have collected a number of redpolls from different locations this winter,” says Ministry of Natural Resources biologist Jan McDonnell, “ and have sent them to Dr. Doug Campbell at the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at the University of Guelph. He confirmed that they were infected with salmonellosis.”

  Dr. Campbell describes the disease and its affects below.

  Salmonellosis is a primarily a disease of the digestive tract in these cases, and has only affected the redpoll species so far this winter, as the different salmonella strains tend to be quite species specific.

Birds contaminate feed by defecating. These birds tend to congregate in large numbers at feeders, which contributes to the spread of the disease.

There can be chronic carriers of the disease that are not obviously sick yet can spread it to other birds. It is probably a naturally occurring disease in the population.

The questions below, with answers by Dr. Campbell, relate to the human/pet health side of the issue.

1. Q Can cats or dogs get sick from eating birds that are dying or have died from Salmonellosis?
A Yes. Try to keep your pets away from them.
2. Q What do I do if I find a dead bird?
A You may wish to send the specimen in for analysis. If not, use the plastic bag "stoop and scoop" method, seal it, and send it to the landfill site.
3. Q Can this disease be spread to people?
A Yes.
4. Q How can I protect myself?
A Use good hygiene and common sense. Wear rubber gloves when
loading feeders, cleaning feeders, cleaning up underneath feeders or handling dead birds, and wash up afterwards.
5. Q Can I help prevent the spread of this disease to other birds?
A Yes. You can remove the feed and disinfect your bird feeder, especially tray feeders or underneath silo feeders, by using a 10% chlorine bleach solution. Once per week is recommended.

 
   The Cornell University website gives some information on bird diseases at  http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/DiseasedBirds.htm