The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has issued fresh guidance on protecting garden birds from highly contagious diseases, as research shows a worrying decline in some of the UK's most beloved species. The RSPB shared that trichomonosis, an easily transmissible disease, is rapidly spreading and greatly affecting garden birds, especially greenfinches, chaffinches, and now possibly bullfinches. The greenfinch population has seen a rapid decline of over 65% in the last 30 years.
Understanding Trichomonosis
Trichomonosis is a fatal disease of garden birds caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas gallinae. Bird feeders and any places where garden birds gather in large numbers are hotspots for the spread of this disease. According to scientific evidence, summer and autumn are the two seasons with the highest risk of outbreaks.
With this in mind, the RSPB has issued fresh guidance on how to protect garden birds, and the answer lies in a simple two-step process focused solely on how we feed these avians. The RSPB says: “We can help stop the spread of disease among garden birds by making two simple shifts to how we feed birds. Put simply: Feed seasonally. Feed safely.”
Feed Seasonally
In a major change, the RSPB's latest guidance now recommends a pause on feeding garden birds seeds and peanuts between May 1 and October 31. The guidance clarifies: “During summer and autumn, there’s a higher risk of disease spreading. But it’s also when there are more natural foods available to birds, such as seeds and insects. You can continue to offer small amounts of mealworms, fatballs or suet. During spring and summer, dried mealworms can be soaked in water to make them easier for nestlings to eat.”
The RSPB further adds: “Suet products can be left out for up to 7 days. Seed and peanuts should all be eaten within 1-2 days. Mealworms should all be eaten or cleared away by dusk the same day (especially if scattered on the ground). This will help to prevent any leftover mealworms being consumed by Hedgehogs, which Hedgehog rehabilitators have raised as a concern.”
Between November 1 and April 30, you can go back to feeding birds the full range of bird foods, including peanuts and seeds.
Feed Safely
The RSPB says: “To further reduce the risk of disease, we also recommend that you feed only small amounts, don’t use bird feeders with flat surfaces, keep your feeders clean, and only put out water if you can change it every day.” Adjusting the amount of bird food based on actual demand is a good decision to avoid overfeeding. It’s also advised to keep bird food as dry as possible, as damp food allows disease to spread and survive, making it best to select feeders which limit condensation and prevent rain from getting in.
The RSPB recommends using hanging feeders over flat feeders. The guidance says: “Don’t use bird feeders with flat surfaces, such as bird tables, window feeders and feeders with trays. Research has confirmed that there’s a higher risk of disease spreading on flat surfaces, where contaminated food can collect.” Cleaning bird feeders and water baths at least once a week is essential. “Clean with hot soapy water and disinfect with a non-toxic disinfectant or a mild (5%) bleach solution. Be sure to also clean away any old food or droppings from beneath feeders.”
The RSPB adds: “Busy bird feeders can become hotspots for disease. Place your bird feeders in a different spot every week. This will help to prevent any build-up of potentially contaminated debris underneath. If you have more than one feeder, put them in different areas to reduce the number of birds in one place and the mixing of different species.” The experts also caution against putting feeders under spots where birds roost, such as under trees, to avoid contamination through droppings. The RSPB adds: “Help birds find their own food. One of the best ways to support garden birds in the long-term is to help them find their own food. So fill your outdoor space with bird-friendly plants – such as sunflowers, teasels and ivy. These help provide natural food sources for birds.”
By taking these small and simple steps to feed birds safely and seasonally, together we can help protect the bird population of the country and safeguard their future.
