Bird deaths

[Tinkerbell]

Has anyone any explanation for birds being found dead recently. A neighbour who feeds birds often and attracts many different species is finding some dead in his garden and there doesn't seem to be so much activity around the feeders as there used to be. Apparently he is quite distressed about it and would value opinions on what is going on.

I had found 2 or 3 corpses in the garden when I returned from Cornwall, but put this down to probable bird strikes on windows.

Tinkerbell

[paulchandler6]

Are there any symptoms that are apparent ?

[cresshead101]

are they a specific type of bird that could be causing bother,and someones taken the law into their own hands eg poisoning?or is there any sign of damage/disease?hope it's not bird flu back from the dead!

[wildliferescuer]

Thrichomoniasis (canker) is extremely common in pigeons, doves & finches although any bird can get it as it is highly contagious. It is a parasitic disease causing lesions in the throat & crop which eventually leads to the birds not being able to swallow or even breathe properly. They will eventually die.
We have treated dozens of birds in the last few months, & put dozens more to sleep because the canker is too far advanced to treat.
My guess is that this is another case of canker in these birds. All feeding dishes, tables etc should be thoroughly disinfected to try to stop it spreading.

[Cazzie]

Have to agree with Caroline (wildliferescuer) on this one as I've had a least one fledgling greenfinch affected recently by Trichomoniasis - had to take in all my feeders and disinfect them, then not put them out for at least 2-3 weeks after that The finch in question has now disappeared (no doubt died somewhere) but there have been a couple more cases reported in my village as well.

Having witnessed my fledgling greenfinch with this deadly disease the symptoms that I observed in it's later stages were - general dopeyness, would sit for ages in one spot tilting it's head to one side, eyes closing and a gagging motion with it's beak, puffed up and generally looking really poorly

I've been advised that it will take approx 3 weeks to actually kill the bird and it's transferred through their spit, so any feed that the poorly bird has been in contact with (or water) will spread the disease to others.

Perhaps you could find out if your neighbour has observed any of these particular symptoms in his visiting birds?

[nightshade]

I have had Greenfinch deaths in my garden ,despite a rigorous hygene regime
all I can suppose is that other people are not as careful,or it is something they are picking up in the wild

[mrs fish]

I'm sorry to hear that birds are suffering and dying again this year

Last year trichomonoasis was very bad, I voiced my concerns to Defra as I was worried about peoples chickens, I had one of my budgies die from trich and it was an awful lingering illness

[Bramble]

We found two dunnocks dead earlier this year, but we think it might have been the result of fighting. Thankfully these are the only two casualties we've had in the garden this year (excepting blackbird Mr Beaky, eaten by a sparrowhawk). We have next to no little birds now, just the dunnocks still creepin' an' cheepin'. Might have something to do with the removal of our only tree, as it was diseased - I guess they've lost their perch and song post

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Bramble

We found two dunnocks dead earlier this year, but we think it might have been the result of fighting. Thankfully these are the only two casualties we've had in the garden this year (excepting blackbird Mr Beaky, eaten by a sparrowhawk). We have next to no little birds now, just the dunnocks still creepin' an' cheepin'. Might have something to do with the removal of our only tree, as it was diseased - I guess they've lost their perch and song post

Shame about Mr Beaky, but the sparrowhawk has to eat too!

I've got an idea - plant some more trees in your garden! You can never have too many in my opinion!

[naturelover]

hi are you sure one of your neighbours are not yousing slug pellets as there are so many about.