Salmonella killing Southern songbirds?

With the peak of neotropical migratory songbird migration upon the Lowcountry, birders rejoice at this time when they can view colorful migrants plus reproducing resident birds at the same time. Bluebird boxes and wood duck boxes are already busy with new arrivals and carolina wrens are using hanging baskets from the piazzas of Charleston all the way to the rural lands back inland. With swine flu all over the news, it is not hard to believe that salmonella infections are presently killing some birds in association with "dirty" feeders. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at UGA has confirmed that Salmonella Typhimurium is indeed the culprit. SCDNR bird conservation coordinator Laurel Barnhill suggests taking feeders down if you see sick or dead birds around. Disinfect the cleaner before returning it to use, but be sure not to do so in your kitchen sink. When replacing the feeder it is wise to change locations periodically in order to keep the area under the feeder more clean. So far pine siskins, goldfinches, cardinals and others have died of salmonellosis, a pathogen that can be spread by direct contact or via contaminated water and food. No birder wants to have songbirds congregate at this feeders and then become sickened, so Lowcountryoutdoors.com urges readers to add bird health to the list of things that we must be extra vigilant to identify in these trying times.

Photo By Jeff Dennis: This yellow-breasted chat did not die due to salmonella, but the mortality of such a beautiful bird gives birders pause