thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, UK – Sep 11, 2014
GARDENERS are being warned to be on the lookout after confirming reports a potentially deadly disease has struck the Forest bird population.
A repeat outbreak of Trichomoniasis has struck colonies of chaffinches, greenfinches and bullfinches, following reports of dead and dying birds spotted in gardens throughout the area.
The parasite in infected birds lives in the upper digestive tract, eventually causing its throat to tighten up and unable to swallow food, causing them to starve.
Steven Hodgkinson, an RSPB Community Project Officer based in the Forest, said finches are particularly susceptible because they are highly sociable birds that flock and feed together.
Mr Hodgkinson said: “This is not the first time we have seen Trichomoniasis in the Forest so it is essential that good hygiene practice including the regular cleaning of feeders, bird baths and feeding surfaces is carried out.
“This will help to lower the risk to the birds of this and many other bird diseases.”
The disease is found across Britain in relatively low numbers but with hot spots breaking out in other locations such as Somerset, Wiltshire, Cambridge and Lincolnshire.
Mr Hodgkinson said in the early stages of the disease, the birds will often be found around feeders as they attempt to eat with limited success.
He said bird owners could limit the spread of the disease by temporarily stopping putting out food, except in tit feeders and leaving birdbaths dry until sick or dead birds are no longer found in the garden.
He added: “Please only stop feeding the birds when you suspect that there are sick birds in the area and not as a preventative measure as birds rely on feeding stations.
For further advice on how to help prevent the spread of the disease, please contact the RSPB on 01767 693690.
