There has been much discussion about the cleaning of bird feeders to prevent
contagious diseases, and of course I think this is important when feeding
birds in general (at least I assume it is; I don't know how much science
backs up this belief). However, I'm fairly convinced that it isn't the
answer to the siskin/salmonella problem. Any time an infected siskin visits
your feeder and defecates in the seed tray, it is a potential source of
infection for any other siskin that feeds in the same place. As they
typically come in flocks and displace one another regularly, numerous
siskins will partake of the infected feeding spot. And sick siskins tend to
feed for long periods, so they will surely leave deposits while taking their
seed withdrawals. Thus even if you cleaned the feeder every day, I think
there would be a substantial probability of infection.

>From my limited knowledge base, I would repeat that I think this is much
more of a problem with siskins than other birds. Juncos and House Finches
have regularly fed at our thistle feeder, yet I have seen no apparently sick
individuals of these species (although I know salmonella has been found in
other finches).

What a rainy day - isn't it great! It ruined an intended birding trip for
us today, but I won't complain.

Dennis Paulson
--
Netta Smith and Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115