Syracuse, N.Y. -- It’s OK to put up and refill your bird feeders, the local Audubon Society chapter says.
Onondaga Audubon had recommended in July that homeowners take down the feeders as a mysterious eye disease crept across the mid-Atlantic states. But it appears the disease never reached New York and has nearly died out elsewhere, the group says.
“Onondaga Audubon supports people putting feeders back out since the illness has not been suspected in New York and cases appear to be waning in other affected states,” the group said this week on its Facebook page.
The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation never issued recommendations, so Onondaga Audubon said it had followed guidelines from the federal government that recommended removing feeders. The Pennsylvania Game Commission this summer did advise homeowners to put away bird feeders, but recently lifted that recommendation.
The illness still has no known cause. It was first spotted in April in Washington, D.C.; then struck birds in at least 10 states, from Florida to Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
“Reports of sick and dying birds with vision problems, eye swelling (often with a crusty discharge), and neurological symptoms have been rippling across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States,” Audubon New York said this summer.
The illness seemed to strike mostly young birds of several common species, including blue jays, common grackles, European starlings and robins, said the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology. The source of the disorder remains unknown; it could be a bacterium or a virus, a parasite, or a toxic chemical, the lab said. One hypothesis was that the disease was tied to the huge 17-year cicada emergence this summer across much of the eastern U.S., but that has not been proven.
The USGS said laboratories in several states have ruled out some common bird pathogens, including Salmonella and Chlamydia bacteria, avian influenza virus, and West Nile virus.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission last month said it was OK to feed birds again.
“The issue appears to be resolving on its own,” the commission said. “Research has ruled out many potential causes and there is no indication that feeding birds or maintaining bird baths were contributing factors.”
Onondaga Audubon says homeowners who put their feeders out again should take several steps to prevent any potential pathogens from being spread:
1. Clean feeders and bird baths with soap and water at least once a week, then disinfect with a 10% bleach solution.
2. Rinse well with water and allow to air-dry.
3. Wear disposable gloves and wash your hands after handling feeders.
4. Keep pets away from sick or dead birds.
5. If you find a dead bird, put it in a sealed plastic bag and throw it in the trash.
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