Take down your feeders: Salmonella outbreak spreads among West Coast birds

A salmonella outbreak is sickening and killing birds in Oregon and elsewhere along the west coast of North America.

Cases of salmonella among pine siskins and other birds in Oregon have trended upwards in recent months, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and wildlife rehabilitators. ODFW urges Oregonians who encounter sick or dead birds to take down bird feeders at least for the next month or two to slow the spread of the disease.

California’s state wildlife agency recently recommended residents temporarily remove bird feeders and baths for the time being. Washington suggested the same in January for people who cannot rigorously clean bird feeders daily.

Salmonella can grow in seed feeders when they get wet, and seed-eating birds like pine siskins then spread it through their poop.

When food resources dwindle in winter, birds often congregate at feeders. These large gatherings can quickly become salmonella superspreader events, which is why wildlife experts are urging backyard bird watchers to take down feeders for now.