INJURED OR SICK BIRD OR WILDLIFE?

January 2021 - Sick Pine Siskins

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising people to take down their seed feeders because of a widespread occurrence of dead and dying Pine Siskins from salmonella.  Pine Siskins are small finches that travel and socialize in dense flocks.  But salmonella is not always the main culprit. We are in the midst of a massive winter invasion of pine siskins because of the failure of seed and cone crops in boreal forests across Canada. Many of these birds arrive weak and emaciated because they have flown a long way with little or no food. I worry that taking down feeders could add to their problems.
Salmonella is a normal inhabitant of the bird gut; but can multiply in feces and contaminated seed if it is allowed to accumulate on feeder surfaces. The solution is to clean feeders often. That also applies to moldy seed and droppings that accumulate on the ground beneath feeders.
In the past, we’ve advised people to take feeders down for a week or two if they find dead or dying birds in order to prevent sick birds from reinfecting feeders. The dilemma is that starving birds may need this food to survive.
If you choose to feed birds, be sure to clean your feeders often.

Gene Bullock, President
Kitsap Audubon Society
P.O Box 961
Poulsbo, WA, 98370
kitsapaudubon.org

WEST SOUND WILDLIFE SHELTER
Serving the greater western Puget Sound Region (206) 855-9057
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, 7 days a week excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Early closures will be announced on Facebook.

• Accepts all injured, sick and orphaned wildlife species except seals, bear and cougar

• Provides non lethal advice for nuisance/problem wild animals

• Can help with questions on wildlife natural history information and identification

From WDFW: “Many wild animals do not need to be "rescued" and there is almost NEVER a time when you should remove a baby wild animal from its natural environment – even if it appears abandoned. More often than not, just leaving a young animal alone affords it the best chance for survival. Every year hundreds of young wild animals such as fawns, baby seals, and baby birds are needlessly "rescued" and referred to wildlife rehabilitators. This is extremely detrimental and harmful to the young animal, as well as disruptive and costly to wildlife rehabilitators when they most need to concentrate limited resources on truly orphaned or injured wildlife. Unless the animal is showing obvious signs of illness or injury such as bleeding, vomiting, panting, shivering, lethargy, ruffled feathers or fur, attack by cat/dog, leave them there. You can help by always consulting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator prior to collecting the animal, thereby preventing its handling.

Why these babies do not need rescuing. Young animals are often left alone for hours while their parents gather food. They are being tended by their parents in ways best for their survival and appropriate for that species, ensuring that they retain natural wild behaviors. It is normal and typical for a deer fawn to be left alone hiding in a bed. It is also common for young birds to leave the nest before they are fully feathered or flight-ready. They will be fed on the ground for a day or two by the parents until they are able to fly. Careful observation before distressing and collecting these animals should help you make a correct decision whether or not they are truly orphaned or injured and need help.”

Report Dead Migratory Birds. If you do find a dead bird you can contact WA Fish & Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768