The Burnaby-based Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. is calling on people to clean their birdfeeders following a suspected salmonella outbreak that could be killing large numbers of pine siskins around the Lower Mainland.
"Pine siskins are particularly vulnerable to salmonella, but by being vigilant and pro-
active, members of the public can help reduce the spread of infection and limit the risk to
local pine siskin populations," said the association's Crystal Simmons.
Since early January, the Wildlife Rescue Association has admitted 50 of the songbirds for treatment. They are showing symptoms of salmonella poisoning - fluffed-up feathers, difficulty flying, swollen eyelids and lethargy.
"Quite a lot of them have died, but (rehabilitators) are giving them supportive care, and some of them are recovering from it," said association spokesperson Yolanda Brooks. "We released one today, but quite a few of them have died."
The association sent some of the birds to an Abbotsford lab for testing and is awaiting the results.
According to the association, most salmonella outbreaks in birds are caused by contaminated bird feeders, and pine siksins are particularly susceptible to the infection because they travel together in tight flocks. The Wildlife Rescue Association recommends that feeders be cleaned at least once a week with a 10 per cent solution of bleach mixed with water and left to air dry before refilling. Food on the ground should also be cleaned up regularly and disposed of in secure garbage, and feeders should be moved between locations to prevent the build-up of feces.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds around their feeder should take the feeder down for at least a week to encourage the birds to disperse and reduce infection amongst flocks. Sick birds can be picked up and placed in a small box with a towel or facecloth and brought to the Wildlife Rescue Association, which runs a rehabilitation centre close to Burnaby Lake. The risk of infection to humans is extremely small, but members of the public should always wash their hands after handling birds and bird feeders.
