Subdeacon Joe Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/salmonella-killing-songbirds-in-california-as-experts-urge-removal-of-bird/?ref=mosthome A bacterial disease spread largely at bird feeders meant to help our feathered friends is killing songbirds by the thousands around Sonoma County and across other parts of the state, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The tiny pine siskin, a type of finch which breeds largely in Canada’s boreal forests and winters in California and other areas of the United States, represents the majority of sickened birds, though several other finch species also have been affected. Bird experts say the best way to help them is to take down bird feeders and bird baths, eliminating the places they congregate and imposing a kind of social distancing on those species vulnerable to infection. “It’s just reached a point where it’s more effective to just completely remove the feeders and bird baths and just let the birds move through the area, and then in spring, when the pine siskin is no longer in the area, you can put them back up,” said Ashton Klutz, executive director of the Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County. Last year was an apparent boom year in Canada, with abundant population growth as a consequence, leading to more birds than could be supported by this year’s more meager seed crop. What’s called an “irruption” of pine siskins resulted — a mass migration of the species to all corners of the continent, eagerly availing themselves of both naturally available foods and those set out for them by people. But where they normally would find a source of food, deplete it and move on, the ever-present supply at bird feeders means they hang around, instead. That, in turn, makes the transmission of salmonella, a gut bacteria, more likely, as birds stepping in feces from an infected bird or eating seeds mixed with waste on the ground contaminate their food or water, perches and other surfaces, ingest the bacteria and become infected. Salmonellosis kills most birds within about 24 hours of infection, causing inflammation in the throat and deterioration of the intestinal tissue. “They’re kind of dying from the inside out,” Bowers said. “The bacterium is very cruel.” Though some have been brought to rescue organizations for treatment, there is little that can be done. Sickened birds will quickly become emaciated, but likely will appear puffed up and still, with their eyes partially closed. “They’re going to be fluffed up,” said Alison Hermance, communications manager at WildCare in San Rafael. “They’re going to be to be lethargic. They’re going to be the last bird to fly away if the flock is startled.” They’re also going to be more vulnerable to being preyed upon by cats or other animals, which also are at risk of infection if they ingest a contaminated bird, experts said. Anyone who handles a dead bird should use gloves and wash carefully to avoid infection or transmission. A similar outbreak occurred in December 2015 through March 2016, Rogers said. North Bay bird rescue organizations received their first reports in the latest occurrent in late November, building through December and mostly peaking in January, when Hermance said WildCare was “getting dozens of birds a day into the hospital.” Rogers said she’s received reports of more than 200 incidents in the North Bay, though each report might represent more than one bird. Many more birds likely died unseen and unreported, with outbreaks reported around the greater Bay Area, the Central Coast and the Sierra Nevada foothills, at least. Another spike also is likely with the spring migration back north to breeding grounds, unless people take down bird feeders before then, Rogers said. Klutz said people desperate to bring birds to their yards can still put up humming bird feeders but remember they, too, require regular cleaning, a good habit for anyone who owns a bird feeder or bath. And once the pine siskins leave the area, their other bird feeders can go back up, as well. She said it’s difficult for people to recognize that something they’ve been doing to try to help the birds may have hurt. But “the response we’ve gotten from the community has definitely been one of understanding that, even in this negative situation, has been a great positive,” Klutz said. “Even though we’ll miss having our bird feeder up, just to remember it’s only temporary, while we’re doing the best we can now that we know what’s going on, for the betterment of the birds.’ It’s a hard thing to ask of bird lovers right now, given how much time people are spending at home and how delightfully distracting an active bird feeder can be, said Veronica Bowers, director and founder of Native Songbird Care & Conservation in Sebastopol. But it’s also what’s needed to prevent further spread of salmonella, said Bowers, who like other bird rescue centers in the area has been inundated with reports of sick, dying or dead birds. “We’ve had many tearful, difficult discussions with our community members over the past month about asking them to remove bird feeders,” Bowers said. “Some people have been really good during the shutdown, and often their bird feeders are their only connection to the natural world, and to ask them to take down their bird feeders is hard, but necessary.” A highly streaked brown and white bird with a very pointy beak and flashes of yellow on its wings and tail, the pine siskin has a widely varying range, potentially dictated by food availability, said Krysta Rogers, an senior environmental scientist and avian disease specialist with state Fish and Wildlife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 In related news the Biden administration has signed an executive order mandating all birds wear a mask to "flatten the curve" A firm chaired by Hunter (who has been noted as having vast experience on these matters) has taken the lead in producing the tiny beak coverings. "Once we solve the problem of the birds not having thumbs to tie the mask straps this should be resolved in four weeks or less" Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 This is why we DON't do bird feeders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 looks like that animal is wearing a party hat .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 40 minutes ago, Singin' Sue 71615 said: This is why we DON't do bird feeders! What is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 15 minutes ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: What is that? Just a black bear. He is a young one...most likely a year+. A few of the black bear up in that area look cinnamon as they age. Makes some think they are Grizzley...but really just black bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Just now, Singin' Sue 71615 said: Just a black bear. He is a young one...most likely a year+. A few of the black bear up in that area look cinnamon as they age. Makes some think they are Grizzley...but really just black bear. Neighbor took this early spring...he probably had not lost his winter coat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 25 minutes ago, Singin' Sue 71615 said: Just a black bear. He is a young one...most likely a year+. A few of the black bear up in that area look cinnamon as they age. Makes some think they are Grizzley...but really just black bear. Interesting. I have never seen one in those colors. Threw me off. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 3 minutes ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: Interesting. I have never seen one in those colors. Threw me off. Thanks. I was thrown off the first time I saw one in full cinnamon color!!! I started hollering to,my dad "Do you see that grizzley??" He laughed so hard, he had to pull over!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 17 minutes ago, Singin' Sue 71615 said: I was thrown off the first time I saw one in full cinnamon color!!! I started hollering to,my dad "Do you see that grizzley??" He laughed so hard, he had to pull over!!! I have seen cinnamon, tan and black Black Bears but never two toned like that. At first I thought you had a photo of a tall badger or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 4 minutes ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: I have seen cinnamon, tan and black Black Bears but never two toned like that. At first I thought you had a photo of a tall badger or something. He has been visiting our backyard all summer last year...I never got to see him. He has startled my neighbor a few times on his walks! He was walking our back fence line!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 1 hour ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: What is that? Chupacabra in winter clothes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joke 'um Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Typical modern/leftist solution. Restrict human activity and freedom. Humanity, the scourge of the planet. There is, as usual, an effective solution to the problem not thusfar considered. So, the birds make a mess with their seed. Then they defecate in the spillage. Then other birds eat the fecally treated seeds. What we need to do is to mandate that all bird feeders are equipped with little porta potties. A simple Federal law, similar to ADA should do the trick. A system of federal grants for those designing and developing the waste management devices would facilitate rapid development of an economical effective solution. The program will be paid for by a 30% tax on the sale of binoculars and spotting scopes and migratory bird hunting licenses. Next problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joke 'um Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Also, if you don't support my PLAN, it is because you want little birdies to get sick and die! PIG!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 That's a sad looking little bear. He needs a coat conditioner of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Just now, Noz said: That's a sad looking little bear. He needs a coat conditioner of some sort. Keep him away from that bimbo who put Gorilla Glue in her hair! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 13 hours ago, Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 said: looks like that animal is wearing a party hat .... He iz! Party animal. I think he brought the beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 as long as he stays out of the mash barrels , all is good get in those and become a RUG CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 13 hours ago, Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 said: looks like that animal is wearing a party hat .... I just saw that!!! It's the neighbors tarp on the end of his wood pile!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 18 minutes ago, Noz said: That's a sad looking little bear. He needs a coat conditioner of some sort. I betcha he is going to be a fat ,little, round blackie this season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joke 'um Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 "The uninhibited presence of songbirds being necessary to happiness in a free state, the right of the people to feed and bathe birds shall not be infringed." This was to have been the eleventh amendment, part of the original Bill of Rights. Fortunately, the aviaphobes amongst the white, european, protestant, male hegemony that founded this nation stopped the ratification of this amendment. Therefore, it is possible for responsible government, today, to enact reasonable bird feeder control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 My bird feeders are out of food as of this morning. I talked with my wife and we haven't seen that particular bird, the Tiny Pine Sisken, at our feeders. We are going to leave the feeders empty for a couple of days and then reevaluate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 4 hours ago, Joke 'um said: Also, if you don't support my PLAN, it is because you want little birdies to get sick and die! PIG!!! ............. and you are a racist! (tongue firmly in cheek) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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