What Should I Do if I See a Sick Bird?

You may occasionally see a sick bird at your feeders. Birds that are ill are typically lethargic and keep their feathers fluffed up. You may notice one or both of a bird’s eyes appear crusty or swollen.

To reduce the spread of avian diseases, it’s a good idea to regularly clean feeders and the surrounding area. Here are tips to keep your backyard birds healthy:

1. Scrub feeders and birdbaths bi-weekly with 10% household chlorine bleach and 90% water solution. Rinse the feeders and make sure they’re completely dry before refilling them with seed.
   2.  Avoid overcrowded conditions. Your backyard food court for birds should have enough feeders for the number of birds that frequent them.  It’s a good idea to use as much space as possible for your feeders, spreading them out a bit so the birds are spread out as well.
   3.  Clean up discarded seeds and hulls.  Clean under your feeders on a regular basis.  Consider adding a seed-catching tray to reduce the mess on the ground.  Remember: one type of seed per feeder will result in less waste, since birds won’t be as likely to pick through the mix looking for their favorite.  Some people prefer to use sunflower chips, or a seed mix with no hulls, to further reduce the accumulation of debris under a feeder.
2. Take a break. If you see more than one sick bird at your feeders, thoroughly clean your feeders and leave them down for a week or two. This encourages the birds to disperse, lessening the chance of disease being spread from one bird to another.