SAS friends— This week, Indiana DNR released information about a fatal songbird illness that has been reported in 15 Indiana counties so far. The DNR recommends removing bird feeders and baths statewide, as disease spreads in these congregating settings. Read the latest news here, and please stand by for more information as the DNR is awaiting lab results.
Feeders and baths should be handled carefully and cleaned with a 10% bleach solution. Please clean up debris and fallen food below your feeders as well.
If you discover sick or dead wild birds on your property, use the DNR sick/dead wildlife reporting tool at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife to alert DNR staff. Signs of this new illness include neurological symptoms (acting tired, tilted head, or falling down) in combination with eye swelling and crusty discharge. Species affected so far include blue jay, American robin, common grackle, Northern cardinal, and European starling.
If you find a sick bird, you can also contact a wildlife rehabilitator to see if they are able to accommodate it. Refer to the DNR list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators to find a rehabilitator nearest you.
If you need to handle a sick or dead bird, use disposable gloves. The possibility of transmission to other species is under investigation right now, so please keep pets away as a precaution.
Click here for an article from the Herald-Times in Bloomington, published Thursday that contains some additional information from state wildlife biologist Allisyn-Marie Gillet.
Thank you for being good stewards for the birds.
