Over the years i have seen various finches (and the occasional towhee) with eye disease, at our backyeard feeders, and have wondered if the feeders themselves are spreading the infection.

Is there any evidence that one type of feeder is worse than others?? We have one cylindrical feeder which requires the birds to stick their heads partway inside to get the seed. ie, the bird's "face" touches the feeder while feeding. I don't know if this contributes to the problem, or is irrelevant.

we have other feeders which are mesh containers - birds can feed from these with less "facial" contact. Again, i have no idea whether this is relevant to the problem.

Does anyone have comments on how the different types of feeders may relate to the problem?

thanks in advance

Bob Bennett, Maple Vly, WA