Thank you, Ted Buerger, for posting the Internet address of the National
Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), National Biological Survey. As a result,
I've been in touch with Lynn Creekmore, who is in charge of the western
region. She reports that salmonellosis is an increasing problem among Pine
Siskins at feeders in the northwest. My outbreak is probably salmonellosis,
not aspergillosis. [Wrong also about whether aspergillosis is contagious to
humans--thanks Peggi Rodgers for catching my error and correcting the
record. Humans are susceptible to both the Aspergillus fungus and
Salmonella bacteria]. NWHC is going to examine several of my carcasses to
confirm the diagnosis.

If anyone has sick birds coming to feeders, I encourage you to report the
incidence to Lynn Creekmore. She has a lot of good information and is there
to help. Her email address: lynn_creekmore at nbs.gov

Katherine Wilson
Sutherlin, Oregon
kswilson at rosenet.net