Birds in the eastern half of the United States are being hit by a mysterious illness. D-N-R wildlife veterinarian Lindsey Long says so far experts aren’t sure if it’s an infectious disease. Long says the disease hasn’t been seen in Wisconsin yet. She has a few recommendations.
“If you do see sick or dead birds near a bird feeder,” Long says. “You should take the bird feeders down and definitely call us if you see a number of birds dead or any with those clinical signs: Crusty or swollen eyes.”
Long says song birds of juvenile and fledgling age have been the most impacted. Long advises people to clean bird feeders and bird baths with soap, water and bleach. She also recommends removing any nests. Long isn’t sure the illness will make it to the state. She says they don’t have a definitive diagnosis.
“I can’t say that it will actually come here,” she says. “We don’t actually know what’s causing it. We don’t if it’s an infectious disease at this point.”
