Bird & Nature Blog
A clutch of the latest stories from Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus (HPAI) is active in southern Wisconsin. HPAI is a deadly viral disease that infects the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of birds. It has most significantly affected domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks) and farms may suffer rapid spread and high mortality rates. Wild birds can be infected and carry the virus too. Read this post to learn more about HPAI and what you can do to limit risk and spread.
Photo via Pixabay
Here is Madison Audubon’s updated recommendations for bird feeders and baths in response to the emergence of mystery illness affecting feeder birds. Madison Audubon has been closely following the reports from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center and researchers across the United States studying the disease. Unfortunately, the cause remains unknown, but reported cases are dropping. It is possible that the reduction in cases could be attributed to people following suggested preventative measures, such as taking down feeders and baths
In Wisconsin, there are not yet any confirmed cases of birds sickened or killed by the mystery illness and we're hoping that we can work together to keep it that way.
