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Residents of all counties can resume feeding birds

Residents of all counties can resume feeding birds

By Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Earlier this summer, the DNR recommended a statewide moratorium on bird feeding to slow the spread of a still-undetermined illness that is killing songbirds across the state. Biologists identified more than 750 possible cases in 76 counties that involved a specific set of clinical signs, including crusty eyes, eye discharge, and neurological issues.

By taking down feeders and submitting more than 4,300 reports, residents enabled DNR staff track the disease, detect regional differences, and provide updated recommendations for feeding birds.

Residents are now being advised they may again put out feeders if they are comfortable doing so and not observing sick or dead birds in their yards. Recommendations continue for residents to clean seed and suet feeders at least once every two weeks by scrubbing feeders with soap and water, followed by a short soak in a 10% bleach solution.

Cleaning feeders helps keep birds healthy and helps prevent the spread of disease. Feeders should be thoroughly rinsed and dried before being filled with birdseed. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned at least once a week with a 10% bleach solution and rinsed thoroughly.

Biologists at the DNR ask residents to continue report any sick or dead birds they find to help DNR staff track the outbreak and identify new disease events and reoccurrences. Reporting can be done online.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center’s avian disease experts and other scientists continue to investigate the unidentified bird disease. Indiana DNR has provided samples to the laboratory to aid with its testing.

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