Bird Feeder Best Practices

□ from Flickr User Likeaduck

Keeping a bird feeder or bird bath is one of the easiest ways to enjoy and support the wildlife in your backyard. In 2021 birds in several states around the country, including Ohio and Indiana, started to show signs of illness. Luckily cases weren’t reported in Michigan, but cleaning your bird feeders and baths and observing the birds using them is critical to keep them healthy.

• Regularly clean bird feeders and baths. This is a good practice even when diseased birds aren’t reported in your area. Clean your bird feeders and baths about once a week using a 10% bleach solution. Thoroughly rinse them with water and let them dry completely before adding seed to the feeder and water to the bath. If a bird feeder remains full for multiple weeks clean and replenish with fresh seed and/or consider putting out a smaller feeder to match the demands of your area. 
• Monitor and report potential disease outbreaks. If you suspect that the birds using your feeder are sick, then you can report it through the DNR’s website “Eyes in the Field” https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ORS/Home, or call their Wildlife Disease Lab at 517-336-5030.

© Joshua F. Madison

• Remove bird feeders and baths (temporarily). Clean the bird feeders and baths and remove them for a couple weeks when you see birds that are sick. This will encourage them to spread out to look for new food sources.

To learn more about bird disease in our area and the latest news visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/animals/diseases/avian/avian-influenza

Martha from Nature Niche did an in depth video about this topic - watch the Mondays with Martha episode below.

Written by Erin Dodd of Huron Pines AmeriCorps, Supported in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Michigan Community Service Commission. Huron Pines and contributions from host sites. Huron Pines is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and an equal opportunity provider.