It’s time to feed our feathered friends again
It’s OK to start feeding birds again in Ohio.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife this week said it is lifting its recommendation from earlier this year that people stop feeding birds to help halt the spread of a mysterious illness that was killing them.
The agency said people need to still be cautious and vigilant to help prevent the spread of diseases at bird feeders.
The Division of Wildlife on Wednesday announced the change in bird feeding recommendations in its weekly wildlife news that it distributes via email, and on its website.
“Reports of sick or dead birds possibly affected with the mysterious bird illness in Ohio have slowed considerably,” the email news said. “A majority of birds reported with the illness were immature or fledgling birds, and the breeding season is now primarily over.”
The state said there is still no known cause of the bird illness and that research is ongoing at multiple labs.
“Many other songbird diseases can be passed through feeding,” the Division of Wildlife said on its website. “It is important to keep feeders clean: Use a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water), rinse, and let dry at least once a week. Take a break (7-10 days) from feeding if you see sick or dead birds. This prevents birds from congregating and passing transmissible diseases.”
Any further updates will be posted on the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s website and its Facebook and Twitter social media accounts.
The disease causes eye swelling and crusty discharge, neurological signs including disorientation, and typically leads to the death of the affected bird.
Songbirds hurt by mystery illness
The disease was not seen passing to humans, domestic livestock or poultry.
When the illness was first observed earlier this year, the majority of affected birds in Ohio and other states were reported to be songbirds that included fledgling common grackles, blue jays, European starlings, house sparrows and American robins.
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com.