Credit: Leslie Frattaroli/National Parks Service
More than a month after state wildlife officials asked Pennsylvanians to stop feeding birds, they have lifted the recommendation.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission made the request after songbirds in Pennsylvania, nine other states, and Washington D.C. began getting sick and dying.
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“No definitive cause of illness or death has been determined. But research has ruled out many potential causes and there is no indication that feeding birds or maintaining bird baths were contributing factors,” the Pennsylvania Game Commission said in a statement.
“Wildlife disease investigations can be inherently challenging and sometimes do not identify conclusive cause(s). If additional guidance or significant diagnostic results come to light, that information will be shared with the public in a timely manner,” the statement further read.
Officials said no cases in humans or domestic animals, livestock, or poultry have been documented.
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“The public plays a vital role in wildlife health surveillance”, said Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Veterinarian Andrew Di Salvo. “They are often the first to notice and report injured, sick, or dead wildlife. All those extra sets of eyes and ears enables us to respond as quickly as possible and resolve or investigate the situation. We certainly appreciate their vigilance and look forward to continue to work closely with them into the future.”
Pennsylvania Game Commission officials have been working with federal authorities, other states, and educational institutions to determine the cause of the illness.
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Because birds congregate at bird feeders and baths, the standard recommendation to keep that equipment clean remains in place, along with additional guidelines:
- Clean feeders and bird baths with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent household bleach solution. After allowing 10 minutes of contact time, rinse with clean water and allow to air dry. Cleaning and disinfection should be done at a minimum weekly basis or more frequently when soiled to prevent potential spread of any infectious diseases between birds and other wildlife, as well as remove spoiled food.
- When feeding birds, follow expert recommendations such as those listed in Audubon International’s Guide to Bird Feeding
- Remain vigilant and report any sick or dead wild birds to your local Pennsylvania Game Commission office.
- Keep pets away from sick or dead wild birds.
- Avoid handling wild birds. If you must do so, wear disposable gloves or use inverted plastic bags on your hands to avoid direct contact. Dead birds can be disposed of in a closed plastic bag in household trash or buried deeply (> 3 ft.) to prevent disease transmission to other animals.
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