Bird-feeding is for all of us who enjoy and love watching birds.  Inside this article you’ll find information on bird-feeding tips, preventing disease in your bird feeders and an update on the AVIAN (HPAI) bird flu that disrupted this summer’s bird-feeding habits.

PLACEMENT OF BIRD FEEDERS

Always place your bird feeders where you can frequently see the birds feeding but no closer than 3 feet from your windows.  If you want to attract a larger number of birds, use Nyjer and black oiled sunflowers in a tube feeder, hulled sunflowers and whole peanuts in hopper and platform feeders (beware though that squirrels will love and go after the peanuts). You can also use alternative foods such as suet, fruits, mealworms, and nectar (great for hummingbirds).  Adding habitat, food, water, and nest boxes will attract birds year-round.  Feeders near larger trees and shrubs attract more visits to your feeders.  Keep feeders free of debris and fill only with seeds birds will eat.

Overcrowding at feeders can increase a bird’s stress level making them susceptible to disease.  Choose feeders that maximize contact between birds and provide them with additional places to feed.  Keep your feeding area clean of seed hulls and bird droppings by sweeping or vacuuming the ground below the feeders.  You can also use no-waste seeds or seed mixes containing hulled seeds.  Avoid feeders with sharp edges or points which can puncture the skin and cause bleeding or scratches that facilitate transmission of disease.

CLEANING BIRD FEEDERS

The best practice is to regularly clean your feeders approximately once a month with one part bleach to nine parts of water.  Completely immerse feeders for at least 3 minutes and allow them to dry.  Scrub bird baths and change the water several times a week to prevent mosquito reproduction and the spread of West Nile Virus. 

STORING BIRD SEED

Store your bird food properly to ensure the seed is fresh.  Store bird seed in areas that are cool and have low humidity.  I keep my seeds in Menards sealed storage containers and store them in our indoor porch pantry which is cool year-round.

HPAI (AVIAN BIRD FLU)

This summer was a scary one for all bird watchers when we were advised to stop feeding the birds due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu).  The AVIAN flu is typically found in aquatic birds (swans, geese, ducks, etc.) who often don’t get sick but are sources for infection for domestic poultry (chickens and turkeys). 

The Raptor Center has been tracking the outbreak of AVIAN influenza in various bird species.  Numbers were high for infection between March 28th through May 15th of this year.  Although the number of cases has been on the decline, the risk from bird feeders is now low enough that we can use our feeders again.

HPAI rarely infects humans, but depending on the virus strain it can have a severe impact on susceptible birds of many species.  It’s easily transmitted in the feces and respiratory secretions of infected birds, especially during the migration season.  The virus can also survive cold and freezing temperatures and will survive in aquatic environments.  Henceforth, this is even more important for sanitation in our bird feeders. 

For more information on HPAI, refer to the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.

University of Minnesota, Raptor Center

National Bird-Feeding Society

DNR Bird Feeding Guide

All photos courtesy of Duncraft.com except as noted

Photo credits: www.flickr.com (1), jdorganizer.blogspot.com (2)