Nina,

I have also seen sick Pine Siskins over the years. Sometime ago I inquired at my local Wild Birds Unlimited, and was told that the Pine Siskins are prone to getting salmonella and it is spread through their poop. They recommended not using a tray under the thistle feeder and trying to keep the ground under the feeder clean. I was told that many of the birds have it, but it doesn't effect them until they get stressed from the cold or lack of food, etc.

The feeders should also be periodically cleaned with a solution of bleach to kill germs and disinfect them. Use 3 tablespoons of bleach to 1 quart of water (mix up only what you will use).

I also was told by a veterinarian that treatments with an antibiotic usually don't help the birds. By the time they appear sick, it is usually too late to help them.

You could also contact the PAWS Wildlife Center 425-787-2500 ext 817 to see if they have any other suggestions.

If they are on the ground, I pick them up and try to put them in a safer place, such as in a tree.

The Pine Siskins are such sweet birds and many times seem almost tame. Over the years I have occasionally petted them and have even had them sit on my finger.

Diane Weinstein
Issaquah WA
----- Original Message -----
From: nina<mailto:neens at wavecable.com>
Cc: tweeters at u.washington.edu<mailto:tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:49 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] Help! Sick bird? Question about odd bird behavior


I have a pine siskin sitting on my porch rail - all puffed up, and looks
to be sleeping in the sun. This little guy is NOT slim and trim like
the others, he looks like he's swallowed a ball, he's very round. He
looks like he might be panting, HIs feathers are rather sloppy, now
he's on the birdfeeder. While he's sitting on the feeder (in the sun) -
he's finished eating, and now he's just sitting there.... not terribly
active.

Do I have a bird that's in trouble, or one that just enjoys sunbathing?
Now he's sitting (in the sun) perched on the edge of the feeder. He
seems to have a bit of trouble navigating, as if he were drunk. My
feeders are new (all about two months old), and I just
power-washed/cleaned them all weekend before last. The big feeder he's
sititng on is filled with a woodpecker mix, the other feeders have
thistle and finch mixes, with yet another feeder having an "all around"
wild bird mix of nuts.

I worry because I found a small sparrow while weeding my flowerbed
Saturday (ok - a winter's worth of weeds, and, uh, a little tall). The
bird seemed to have no injuries, and was deep in the weeds. If I need
to do somethign for this poor little friend, please let me know what I
should do!



I've placed some images on my website :

http://westernimagphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/2290326#148256801<http://westernimagphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/2290326#148256801>

http://westernimagphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/2290326#148256905<http://westernimagphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/2290326#148256905>

http://westernimagphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/2290326#148256999<http://westernimagphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/2290326#148256999>

Thanks so much!

nina

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