What to know about feeding backyard birds during Michigan's bird flu outbreak

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• Published: Apr. 29, 2024, 1:41 p.m.

A male downy woodpecker at a bird feeder. Photo by Leah Schrodt/USFWSLeah Schrodt/USFWS

While Michigan deals with an outbreak of a deadly avian flu, spring bird migration is also about to peak, which may have some backyard bird watchers unsure whether to keep filling up their feeders.

According to Audubon Great Lakes, avian flu transmission to songbirds remains uncommon, though the organization still recommends taking some precautionary measures when feeding wild birds.

"Most cases of the avian influenza A (H5N1), or HPAI, are currently found in domestic bird and poultry, but there are now documented reports of it spreading to wild birds, particularly free-ranging Canada Geese, cormorants, Tundra Swans, Snowy Owls and other raptors and waterfowl in the Great Lakes region," the organization said in a statement. "While this is concerning, there are only rare incidences of the disease spreading to or by migratory passerines (songbird species) at this time, with current reports of cases impacting birds in the crow and jay family outside of the Great Lakes region."

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Cleaning and washing bird feeders regularly with soap and/or a 10% bleach solution, as well as raking or sweeping away debris under your feeders, are strongly recommended as general practices to reduce the spread of avian diseases.

Additionally, as of the end of April 2024, Audubon Great Lakes' current recommendations include:

-Take down feeders when bird flu is active in wild birds in your region, or if you are seeing sick birds near or at where you are feeding, following the recommendations of local, state and federal wildlife agencies. Because food resources are abundant in the spring, Audubon assures that taking down bird feeders will not negatively impact backyard birds this time of year.

-Proactively monitor birds from a safe distance in your yard or at bird feeders.

-If you see a bird showing signs of illness, immediately alert state and local wildlife agencies. Signs of illness include swimming or walking in circles, holding the head or neck in an unnatural position, the inability to smoothly rotate or tilt the head, and difficulty flying. Do not attempt to directly touch or get near the bird.

-Report sick or dead birds to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources online here.

Learn more about avian influenza via the DNR and Audubon Great Lakes.

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