Residents are being warned to observe their feathered friends’ feeding and bathing spots more carefully, following the deaths of some birds from salmonella.

There have been no confirmed deaths of songbirds in Marathon or Lincoln counties from the bacteria yet, but the threat is present, said Julie Langenberg, wildlife veterinarian for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“It is a very common scenario in winter when you have birds coming together in feeding places and spreading salmonella, especially with the warm conditions,” Langenberg said. “That helps the bacteria survive and infect birds that come to the feeders.”

Langenberg said salmonella is found naturally. As birds gather, higher concentrations of the bacteria occur. The bacteria can be passed to other birds or animals, including livestock and humans.

Marge Gibson, executive director of the Raptor Education Group in Antigo, fielded more than 20 calls Monday and Tuesday from people concerned about dead or dying birds at feeders. She has no doubt that salmonella is the culprit.

“We had reports coming in three or four days ago in Marathon County,” Gibson said, after receiving initial reports in her area two weeks ago. “It creeps down from the north, though we are not sure why.”

Pine siskins and finches are the birds most commonly affected, Gibson said. She encourages those who feed birds to take action to prevent the spread of bacteria. Bird feeders and perches should be cleaned regularly with a mild, 10 percent bleach solution. They should be rinsed and dried before being refilled.

Seeds shold be scraped off the ground and discarded, as droppings and seeds can become mixed and increase the likelihood the bacteria will spread.

Lynn Ott, a member of the Wausau Bird Club, said she had several sick finches last year. A change in feeders from a plastic, cylindrical tube to a mesh “sock-type” feeder allows water and moisture to drain from the seeds and prevents the buildup of mold.

“A lot of the club members know how to keeps their feeders clean so they don’t have these problems,” Ott said, adding that the mesh feeder is easier to clean.

If you find a suspicious dead bird
Salmonella can be passed from birds to people. To avoid exposure to the bacteria: