mystery disease

Updated information and recommendations on the "Mystery Illness"

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.

What to do about this "Mystery Illness?"

You may have heard by now that a mysterious illness is killing common feeder birds along the Atlantic Coast, Northeast and Midwest of the United States. Scientists do not yet know what is causing it. Birds congregating at bird feeders and bird baths can transmit diseases to one another.

In the effort to protect our beloved birds, and in alignment with recommendations of the National Wildlife Health Center, we recommend the following.

Photo by Eric Bégin FCC