Press Releases - September/October 2006
Item 6

No. 2006/09/42
3 October 2006

Is all well in your garden?

Diseases in garden birds, such as Salmonella and E.coli, usually occur during the winter months, so it is unusual that the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch office are continuing to receive reports of dead or dying Greenfinches, Chaffinches and (to a lesser extent) House Sparrows in peoples gardens.

Post mortem examinations carried out on a significant number of birds have implicated a Trichomonas parasite. Infected birds appear lethargic, with fluffed-up plumage; they may also have difficulty swallowing and may have a severe swelling of the neck. Transmission of the parasite is most likely to occur through contamination of food or drinking water with saliva from an infected bird.

This particular parasite is more typically responsible for Trichomoniasis (also known as ‘canker’) in pigeons and doves. However since 2005 the disease has also been seen in various finch species, seemingly at low levels. Paul Stancliffe, BTO Promotions Officer said, “BTO scientists believe that this summer’s weather may have triggered a more substantial outbreak. From reports received so far, Greenfinches seem to be the hardest hit - particularly in the west of the country, with a few records from the midlands and the north west.”

Although the condition may be treated in captive birds, it is not possible to target an effective dose under wild conditions. There is evidence that the parasite can live outside the host for up to five days on moist grain. As such, scrupulous hygiene at garden bird feeding stations remains the only effective option. Garden BirdWatch recommends the following tips.

• All feeding equipment and bird baths should be cleaned regularly with appropriate disinfectants, rinsing afterwards with clean water and allowing to air dry completely before further use.
• Fresh drinking water should be provided daily.
• Feeding stations should be moved frequently to prevent the build up of contamination in any one area. Any build up of waste food and droppings should be removed at the end of each day before fresh food is put out.

Further advice on good hygiene practice can be found in two BTO leaflets, available from GBW on 01842 750050 or by post from BTO, Garden BirdWatch, Room 42, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU or by emailing .

Notes for Editors

1. The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch. The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch is the only nationwide survey of garden birds to run weekly throughout the year, providing important information on how birds use gardens, and how this use changes over time. Currently, some 16,500 people take part in the project. The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch is funded by participants’ contributions and supported by CJ WildBird Foods Ltd and is the largest year round survey of garden birds anywhere in the world. For more information see www.bto.org/gbw

2. CJ WildBird Foods. CJ WildBird Foods is Europe’s leading supplier of bird food and bird feeding products. CJ WildBird Foods has been responsible for a number of significant developments within the bird food and feeding industry, including the introduction of black sunflower seeds to the UK as a major new bird food and the development of specialist seed mixes for use in tubular feeders. The company has also been supporting research into the changing fortunes of garden bird populations, most notably through the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch.

3. Bird Table Magazine. Bird Table magazine is published quarterly and sent free to all BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatchers. An annual subscription to the project costs just £12 and all new joiners will receive a free copy of the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch Book (which normally retails for £9.99).

4. Trichomoniasis. From post mortem examinations, it is thought that Trichomonas gallinea is responsible for the current outbreak, it affects various pigeons, doves, quail, falcons and hawks and occasionally some of the smaller finches.

5. The Greenfinch is similar in size and build to the House Sparrow. The adult males are very smart birds; yellow-green in colour with grey cheeks and striking yellow wing patches. Adult females are browner in colour; their grey underparts tinged with green and young birds are grey-brown above and grey-white below, with dark streaking on the back, chest and flanks. Both adult females and juveniles have the yellow wing panel, though less pronounced than that shown by the adult male.

6. The BTO is keen to receive reports of dead or dying birds. Garden BirdWatch volunteers are participating in a project looking at disease in garden birds. We hope to learn more about the processes behind disease risk and how this affects birds utilising garden feeding stations see www.bto.org/gbw/hygiene/GBHi for further information.

7. Colour photographs. Images of garden birds are freely available for use in association with this press release. Please contact to request an electronic version.

8. The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.

For further information please contact:

Paul Stancliffe on 01842 750050 or email (during office hours)

Mike Toms on 01842 750050 or email (during office hours)

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