This is a heads-up about the California Audubon Society's press release of Wednesday October 26, 2022: Audubon California Urges Backyard Birders to Empty Bird Baths and Feeders as Avian Flu Spreads, https://ca.audubon.org/press-release/audubon-california-urges-backyard-birders-empty-bird-baths-and-feeders-avian-flu. This unusual guidance was prompted by an avian influenza (aka “bird flu”) pandemic that is killing birds now, including in Solano and Yolo counties. Not all experts agree with California Audubon's advice, but we should understand what is going on and what protective options to consider.
Bird flu viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide. Migrating waterfowl spread the disease, which is very contagious. When a highly pathogenic strain emerges, such as the Eurasian H5N1 strain behind the current 2021/22 bird flu outbreak, it kills a wider variety of birds including domesticated chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Now bird flu has been detected in North American wild birds for the first time since 2015, and in more species of birds than ever before. In California since July of this year, bird flu has killed waterfowl (especially Canada geese) and predatory and scavenger birds such as hawks, owls, turkey vultures, crows, and gulls: USDA APHIS | 2022 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds. These records are the merest tip of an iceberg, since wild birds normally die unobserved and even fewer are tested for the virus. Moreover, as of October 27, 2022 over 13 million birds in California commercial and backyard flocks have had to be culled. Poultry should be kept away from wild birds and their droppings. For U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advice for people with domestic birds, see USDA APHIS | Defend the Flock Program and Backyard Flock Owners: Take Steps to Protect Yourself from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) | Avian Influenza (Flu) (cdc.gov).
Bird flu infections in mammals, including humans and domestic cats and dogs, appear to be rare but can be fatal. CDC guidance for pet owners can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-other-animals.htm. The Audubon Society advises against touching a sick or dead bird. Instead, report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife via their reporting form https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report, which allows you to upload photos. Even though most dead birds won't be tested, reporting helps monitor the outbreak.
Because bird flu is spread via contact with sick birds, their feathers, saliva, or droppings, and virus-contaminated surfaces, the California Audubon Society guidance makes sense. Contaminated birdbaths and seed feeders might infect many visitors. On the same date as the California Audubon statement, however, the Cornell Lab advised that wild songbirds are at very low risk and pointed out that there is no government recommendation to take down feeders unless one also keeps domestic poultry: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/.
There are no seed feeders in my garden, but I have hummingbird feeders. Hummingbirds are thought to be at lower risk than other birds because their habits and sources of food and water are so different. Nevertheless, I haven't seen any evidence that hummingbirds are immune to bird flu. I've decided to keep my hummingbird feeders active at least for now, but to change the nectar more often and disinfect the feeders each time. The Cornell Lab provides useful disinfection advice: Safe Feeding Environment - FeederWatch.
I also decided to empty my birdbaths, which get contaminated with feathers and droppings every day. The sight of them breaks my heart when the usual customers and pool parties show up, searching in vain for their drink and bath fun. The scrub jay that joyfully fluttered itself sopping every day squawks at me loudly from its perch on the wire pedestal of its now-dry bathtub. No matter how painful it is to think about complying, please give the California Audubon Society's alert careful consideration. We don't want more dead wild birds and sick or dead pets, and the precautions are temporary. Keep an eye on the California Audubon Society and Cornell Lab Web sites for updates.