Stop Feeding Birds, PA Game Commission Advises

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is advising people across the state to stop feeding birds and filling bird baths because of a mysterious avian ailment that is making them sick and, in some instances, killing them.

The game commission and the University of Pennsylvania Game Commission are investigating more than 70 instances of songbirds that are sick or dying because of the unknown illness, which has occurred in 27 of the state's 67 counties.

The illness is not exclusive to Pennsylvania, according to the game commission. Birds have been reported sick in the Mid-Atlantic states, extending to the Southeast and eastern upper Midwest. The ailment first was reported in the Washington, D.C. area.

Symptoms being displayed are discharge and crusting around the eyes, eye lesions and neurological issues such as falling over or head tremors. People are encouraged to report any birds that have died or are displaying symptoms of the illness.

Affected birds are being tested for parasites, toxins, bacterial diseases and viral infections but the results have been inconclusive, according to the game commission.

The affected species include the blue jay, European starling, common grackle, robin, northern cardinal, house finch, house sparrow, eastern bluebird, red-bellied woodpecker, Carolina chickadee and Carolina wren.

Experts are urging the public to take the following steps until more is known about the illness:

• Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution.

• Wear disposable gloves if handling a dead or sick bird.

• Keep pets away from sick or dead birds..

• Dead birds should be placed in a sealable plastic bag and discarded with household trash to prevent disease transmission to other birds and wildlife.

Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you’ll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe