Thank you for remaining vigilant about helping to halt the spread of the mystery bird-killing condition
Purple Finch on the left, with an immature House Finch. The unidentified affliction has affected House Finches in other states. Purple Finches will be migrating through in several months. Photo by Patrick Comins.
1. Take down bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders.
2. Discontinue providing water for birds.
3. There is plenty of water, insects, and seeds around for birds at this time of year without help from people.
4. For more information, read our July 6 announcement, and “7 key things Connecticut residents need to know.”
5. When there’s new information, we will let you know ASAP.
July 26, 2021 — To everyone who has taken down their bird feeders over the last three weeks, let us offer a sincere thank you.
We continue to think it is the best way to try to stop the spread of the condition that has been killing birds in southern, mid-Atlantic, and mid-western states.
The condition remains unidentified. Most of the afflicted birds have been recent fledglings. Many are blinded and seem to suffer from neurological damage before they die.
It’s unknown if the condition spreads from bird to bird, but if it does, this is an especially important time of year, with migration about to start.
We want to help prevent it from spreading among Connecticut’s year-round resident birds; and to the birds that stop here before they fly to their Central and South American wintering areas.
The staff at Connecticut Audubon is consulting regularly with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and with experts at other conservation organizations and universities.
Our advice stays the same and is consistent with that of the CT DEEP.
For the time being, it’s a good idea to not feed birds or provide them with water. The CT DEEP does not expect that this recommendation will change during August.
Although the condition that’s killing birds has yet to be identified, it might be infectious.
Blue Jay by Richard Stone
We are as eager to tell you that everything is OK as you are to hear it. Feeding birds in summer provides a great bird-watching experience and a lot of pleasure to a lot of you.
But the prudent thing is to continue to recommend that you discontinue feeding and providing water to birds.
We recommend that you take your feeders down, including hummingbird feeders, and empty your birdbaths.
Luckily there is plenty of water, insects, and seeds around for birds to thrive without help from people.
Thank you for your love of birds, and for your dedication.
You can find more information on our website, here.
It includes specific information about what you can do now, and what to do if you find a dead or sick bird.
Whenever there’s new information or new insights into the condition, we will let you know ASAP.
