Subject: Pine Siskin Virus?
Date: Feb 4 11:54:42 2004
From: Kevin Mack - kmack at paws.org



Periodically at the PAWS Wildlife Center we see influxes of pine siskins, and other passerines, with illnesses readily transmitted to other birds at bird feeders. The likely disease referred to in the posting is salmonellosis, a bacterial disease caused by any of about 1500 serovars (types) of the salmonella organism, some of which can cause a food poisoning type of illness in people.

Since birds congregate at bird feeders there is increased chance of sharing infectious diseases such as the Salmonella bacteria, Trichomonas protozoal parasites, and many other potential pathogens. Bird baths also can be important sites of bird and bug concentration and also should be cleaned daily if they are frequented by birds, especially during periods of more intense activity.

Rather than maintaining bird feeders to attract avian visitors we prefer to encourage people to landscape with native plants that will provide both food and cover for the birds and decrease the concentrating effect of an easily contaminated feeder.

John R. Huckabee, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian
PAWS Wildlife Department
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood, WA 98046
425-787-2500 x 814
jhuckabee at paws.org

Join us for PAWS Presents: An Evening with Roger Fouts on March 18, 2004 at the Seattle Madison Renaissance. For more information and tickets visit <http://www.paws.org/work/pawspresents/> http://www.paws.org/work/pawspresents/ .

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Carmel [mailto:sucarmel at comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 4:45 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Pine Siskin Virus?


Tweeters,
I heard, from a friend who volunteers at PAWS, that there is a contagious illness affecting Pine Siskin . Apparently they are suggesting that people either clean their birdfeeders daily, or just take them down to help prevent this illness from spreading further. Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but I haven't found this news on Tweeters (though I remember someone recently reporting dead Pine Siskin at a feeder site). Can anyone confirm this info?
Susan Carmel
Seattle