Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:49:02 -0700
Reply-To: Charlie <cmmbirds@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Charlie <cmmbirds@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Salmonella bird deaths
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Hi John, and Gabbers,
We have found 6 dead Pine Siskins in the last 2 months. Since I have banded a lot of birds, I was concerned that my operation has had an impact, so I've been paying close attention. 3 of the dead birds have been banded, and 3 have not. Since I estimated that I banded about half the flock, and half the dead birds have been banded, I believe that the deaths have not been related to the banding. I did salvage one of the dead birds, which is in the freezer.
3 of the dead birds (2 banded, one not) have been after the bulk of the flock left. Twice a fatality has been found shortly after we noticed an individual sitting tight on the feeder and eating after all other birds have left.
We clean the feeders with bleach on a regular basis. We feed black oil sunflower (with a small portion hulled), thistle, suet(plain), and occasionally meal worms. Never any sort of mix.
We have found no sick or dead birds of any other species. We regularly have a number of other species at the feeders - chickadees, titmice, goldfinches, Brown-Headed Nuthatches, woodpeckers, bluebirds, cardinals, Chipping Sparrows, and doves are seen every day.
I do not know the cause of death, but some have been fat, and some have been thin. I suspect that the deaths have much to do with stress over being well out of normal winter range, the very high ratio of young birds (more than 75% of those banded) and end of the season stresses.
Did the newspaper report who determined that salmonella is the cause?
I'm very curious to see what others have observed. I know there have been a couple previous posts, but I think some more details would be useful.
Cheers,
Charlie Muise
Lamar County
--- On Sat, 3/14/09, John Foote <twofeet2ofus@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
From: John Foote <twofeet2ofus@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: [GABO-L] Salmonella bird deaths
To: GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009, 10:23 AM
I just today read in the Anderson SC newspaper that there have been a lot of songbird deaths this year. Especially pine siskins (extended winter range). In the last week I, here in Elberton, GA, have had 1 dead white-breasted nuthatch, 1 yellow-rumped warbler, and 2 pine siskins. Anyone else seen any?
John Foote
Elberton GA
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