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TENNESSEE SONGBIRD DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO SALMONELLA
March 1st, 2009
A number
of reports have come into Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regional
offices over the past few weeks about songbirds dying around feeders,
according to TWRA officials.
Region III and Region IV offices have had calls about dead birds in
several counties,” said Scott Dykes, TWRA non-game biologist. “Most
affected are purple finches, pine siskins, and American goldfinches.”
Some of the dead birds were sent to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife
Disease Study Center (SCWDS) in Athens, Ga. for analysis.
“The results of the examination indicated that salmonella poisoning was
the cause of death,” said Dykes.
Salmonella bacteria are present in the gut of many wild and domestic birds
and periods of stress can cause sickness or death.
“To try to narrow down the cause, we have collected bird seed samples from
the affected areas to send to SCWDS for analysis as well,” said Dykes
It is recommended that people maintaining bird feeders should periodically
empty the feeders and thoroughly wash them in a solution of one part
bleach and nine parts water. Any dead birds found around the feeders
should be buried to help prevent disease spread to other wildlife.
Individuals should wear rubber gloves when handling sick or dead birds.
The TWRA has four regions in the state. Region III consists of Bledsoe,
Bradley, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Hamilton, Jackson,
Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea,
Roane, Sequatchie, Scott, Van Buren, Warren, and White counties.
Counties in TWRA’s Region IV are Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter,
Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson,
Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Sevier, Sullivan, Washington, Unicoi, and
Union.
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