Subject: Grosbeaks dying at feeders
Date: May 13 16:42:29 1997
From: "CHRISTINE W. MAACK" - 73201.3124 at compuserve.com


Re salmonella as a possibility in birds seen all fluffed up at feeders: we
have a recurring outbreak of that in Anchorage, showing up in Redpolls for
the second year now, and often the sick looking birds will nibble at a seed
and appear to have trouble swallowing - much neck craning and head
twisting, or gagging motions. I've heard that one result of salmonella
poisoning is a thick deposit of something in the esophagus, which
interferes with swallowing. People think the bird has choked on birdseed,
but in fact it is this stuff (don't know what to call it).

I'm finding it hard to advise the public about what to do for their feeder
birds. I know from my own feeder set-up how hard it is to disinfect,
considering the seeds that fall to the ground, end up under the porch, in
the weeds, etc. I have cut back to using just tube feeders since tray style
feeders allow the sick birds to hunker down and really infect the place.
But I notice that even the branches of my trees are dotted with bird poop.
I could elect not to put out feeders at all, but that might only
concentrate the birds more at the neighbors'. Any ideas?

Chris Maack
Anchorage, AK
CMaack at compuserve.com