{"id":12608,"date":"2022-07-05T10:33:56","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T08:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=85209"},"modified":"2022-07-05T10:45:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T08:45:11","slug":"avoiding-trichomonosis-and-other-bird-diseases","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/avoiding-trichomonosis-and-other-bird-diseases\/","title":{"rendered":"Avoiding trichomonosis and other bird diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Veronica Peerless\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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We all love to see a garden filled with birds feasting, drinking, and bathing. But the bird feeders<\/a>, bird tables<\/a> and other feeding points we put up can easily become a focus for the spread of disease. Our feeders and drinkers tend to attract high numbers of different bird species, which can cause cross contamination. There are many disease transfer points across our gardens that need to be considered \u2013 bird tables, feeders, bird baths<\/a> and window feeding trays will all transmit disease if not looked after and thoroughly cleaned frequently.<\/p>\n

Separating feed, feet and faeces is key to protecting our wild birds. We must ensure they cannot stand, regurgitate, or defecate in the bird food<\/a> or water they are given. It\u2019s vital to clean bird feeders and tables regularly because if we don\u2019t then we are literally, killing them with kindness.<\/p>\n

Right now, there are three main bird diseases affecting garden birds that are of serious concern.<\/p>\n

Garden bird diseases<\/h2>\n

Trichomonosis<\/h3>\n

Trichomonosis is a parasitic disease that is passed from bird to bird via saliva. This happens wherever birds feed intensively, including hanging feeders or bird tables. Whilst many species can become infected, finches are the most affected. Shockingly, the British greenfinch population is now endangered and may face extinction after falling by a huge 66 per cent since 2006 due to this disease and other common garden birds are also susceptible to Trichomonosis. Right now, chaffinches are also experiencing the same dramatic decline as greenfinches.<\/p>\n

Avian flu<\/h3>\n

Generally passed on by birds migrating into the UK, through direct contact or contaminated saliva and droppings. This viral infection occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds, like ducks, geese, and swans, worldwide. It can however also infect domestic poultry such as chickens<\/a> and other bird and animal species, making good hygiene when feeding garden birds a priority. Once again, feeding stations are a potential hotspot for transmission.<\/p>\n

Salmonella<\/h3>\n

A bacterial infection transmitted through rotting food and droppings of infected birds that contaminate food and water. This can cause salmonellosis in garden birds, especially in seed-eating birds such as greenfinches and house sparrows.<\/p>\n

How to create a safer garden for birds<\/h2>\n

To avoid the spread of disease, supporting garden birds responsibly means making the right choices and following the right steps. Using the right bird feeder and adopting a regular and effective cleaning routine is critical.<\/p>\n

THINK ABOUT FOOD AND FEET<\/strong><\/p>\n