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Zoology

Bird Feeders: A Potential Health Hazard for Songbirds | How to Prevent Salmonella Outbreaks

by Peter
written by Peter

Bird Feeders: A Potential Health Hazard for Songbirds

What is Salmonella and How Does it Spread Among Birds?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause a deadly infection called salmonellosis in birds. Birds can become infected with salmonella by eating contaminated food or water, or by coming into contact with the feces of an infected bird.

Salmonella is spread among birds when an infected bird poops on a bird feeder or birdbath. Other birds that come into contact with the contaminated feces can then become infected.

Why Are Pine Siskins More Susceptible to Salmonella?

Pine siskins are a type of finch that is particularly susceptible to salmonella. This is because pine siskins are migratory birds, and they often travel long distances in search of food. During their migrations, pine siskins may come into contact with contaminated food or water, which can increase their risk of infection.

How Can You Prevent the Spread of Salmonella at Bird Feeders?

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent the spread of salmonella at bird feeders:

  • Clean your bird feeders regularly. Bird feeders should be cleaned at least once a week with soap and water, or soaked in a diluted bleach solution.
  • Use bird feeders that prevent seeds from getting wet. Wet seeds can attract mold and bacteria, which can make birds sick.
  • Place bird feeders in a location where they are not easily accessible to pets or other animals. Pets and other animals can carry salmonella, and they can spread the bacteria to birds if they come into contact with bird feeders.
  • Remove bird feeders during an outbreak of salmonellosis. If there is an outbreak of salmonellosis in your area, it is best to remove your bird feeders until the outbreak has passed.

What Should You Do if You Find a Dead Bird with Salmonella?

If you find a dead bird that you suspect may have died from salmonella, it is important to take the following steps:

  • Wear gloves to dispose of the dead bird.
  • Double-bag the dead bird and place it in the trash.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the dead bird.
  • Disinfect the area where the dead bird was found with a diluted bleach solution.

How Can Salmonella Affect Pets and People?

Salmonella can also affect pets and people. Pets can become infected with salmonella by eating contaminated food or water, or by coming into contact with the feces of an infected animal. People can become infected with salmonella by eating contaminated food, such as undercooked poultry or eggs.

Salmonella can cause a variety of symptoms in pets and people, including:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite

Importance of Bird Conservation

Birds play an important role in the ecosystem. They help to control pests, pollinate plants, and disperse seeds. Bird feeders can help to attract birds to your yard, but it is important to keep them clean and safe to prevent the spread of disease.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent the spread of salmonella at bird feeders and protect the health of birds, pets, and people.

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Natural History

Unveiling the Wonders of Life: Earth’s Orbit, Facial Expressions, and Nature’s Secrets Revealed

by Peter
written by Peter

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Earth’s Orbit and Mammalian Evolution

Every 1 million years, Earth’s tilt shifts, and every 2.5 million years, its orbit becomes rounder. These wobbles have a profound impact on mammalian evolution. A study from Utrecht University in the Netherlands found that extinctions of rodent species in Spain coincided with these orbital changes. The cooling effect of these wobbles in the Northern Hemisphere may be a contributing factor to these extinctions.

Genetic Inheritance of Facial Expressions

Common sense suggests that facial expressions are primarily learned from parents. However, a study from the University of Haifa in Israel challenges this notion. Researchers filmed interviews with congenitally blind people and found that their facial expressions were remarkably similar to those of their close relatives. This suggests that frowns, smiles, and scowls may have a genetic basis.

Zebra Tarantulas’ Silky Secret

While studying zebra tarantulas, researchers in Germany discovered an unexpected phenomenon: silky footprints. These footprints were not produced by the tarantulas’ abdominal silk glands, but by tiny structures on their feet. This discovery indicates that these hefty spiders use silk for traction on slippery rainforest leaves.

Parasitic Plants: The Plant Kingdom’s Sniffer Dogs

Cuscuta pentagona, a parasitic plant known as dodder, has a remarkable ability to detect airborne chemicals emitted by its preferred host, the tomato plant. This “sniffing” ability, discovered by researchers at Pennsylvania State University, allows dodder seedlings to locate their hosts quickly, maximizing their chances of survival. This discovery could lead to new methods for controlling this noxious weed.

Avian Taxonomy and Conservation

In the Colombian Andes, ornithologist Thomas Donegan of Fundación ProAves discovered a new subspecies of the yellow-breasted brush-finch. Traditionally, new animal species were established based on preserved specimens. However, authorities now permit the use of evidence from living specimens. Donegan is one of only three scientists to have done so, using photography and DNA sampling to identify this new subspecies.

Conservation and the Release of a New Bird Subspecies

Donegan’s discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts. Instead of preserving the specimen, he released the bird back into the wild. This approach balances the need for scientific documentation with the preservation of biodiversity.

The Interplay of Science and Nature

These studies shed light on the complex and interconnected nature of life on Earth. From the influence of orbital changes on mammalian evolution to the genetic basis of facial expressions, from the hidden behaviors of tarantulas to the remarkable abilities of parasitic plants, and from the conservation of avian species to the release of a new subspecies, science continues to reveal the wonders and intricacies of the natural world.

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Biology

The Deadly Feather Trade: How Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall Saved America’s Birds

by Rosa
written by Rosa

The Deadly Feather Trade: How Two Women Saved America’s Birds

The Plume Trade: A Fashionable Cruelty

In the late 19th century, the fashion for feathered hats led to a devastating trade in bird feathers. Hunters killed and skinned mature birds, leaving orphaned hatchlings to starve or be eaten by crows. The main drivers of the plume trade were millinery centers in New York and London, which consumed feathers from hundreds of thousands of birds each year. Egrets, with their brilliant white plumage, were particularly targeted.

Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall: Crusader

In 1896, two Boston socialites, Harriet Hemenway and her cousin Minna Hall, launched a revolt against the plume trade. Hemenway, a passionate amateur naturalist, was horrified by the slaughter of birds. She enlisted the help of Hall, and together they launched a series of tea parties at which they urged their friends to stop wearing feathered hats.

The Birth of the Audubon Society

Hemenway and Hall’s boycott was a success, and they soon organized the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Audubon societies formed in more than a dozen states, and their federation would eventually be called the National Audubon Society. The Audubon Society played a key role in lobbying for legislation to protect birds.

Landmark Laws: The Lacey Act and the Weeks-McLean Law

In 1900, Congress passed the Lacey Act, which prohibited the transport across state lines of birds taken in violation of state laws. However, the law was poorly enforced, and the plume trade continued to thrive.

In 1913, the Weeks-McLean Law, sponsored by Massachusetts Representative John Weeks and Connecticut Senator George McLean, effectively ended the plume trade. The law outlawed market hunting and forbade interstate transport of birds.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

After a series of inconclusive court challenges to the Weeks-McLean Law, the Supreme Court upheld the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This landmark legislation declared that the protection of birds was in the “national interest” and gave the federal government authority to regulate the hunting and transport of migratory birds.

The Legacy of Hemenway and Hall

The efforts of Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall played a pivotal role in the protection of birds in the United States. Their boycott of the plume trade raised awareness of the devastating effects of the fashion industry on bird populations. The Audubon Society they founded continues to be a leading advocate for bird conservation today.

The Importance of Bird Conservation

Birds play a vital role in the ecosystem. They pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and control pests. The loss of bird populations can have a ripple effect on the entire food chain.

The conservation efforts of the early 20th century helped to protect many bird species from extinction. However, birds continue to face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. It is more important than ever to support bird conservation and ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures.

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Zoology

Unprecedented Mass Die-Off of Migratory Birds in Southwestern U.S. Leaves Scientists Puzzled

by Rosa
written by Rosa

Mass Die-Off of Migratory Birds Baffles Scientists in Southwestern U.S.

Unprecedented Event Leaves Researchers Perplexed

Thousands of migratory birds have been found dead across the southwestern United States, leaving scientists baffled and concerned. The phenomenon, described as “unprecedented,” has been reported in at least five U.S. states and four Mexican states.

Affected Species and Distribution

The dead birds belong to a wide range of species, including owls, warblers, hummingbirds, loons, flycatchers, woodpeckers, and others. Notably, resident bird species, such as roadrunners and quail, have not been affected by the die-off.

The phenomenon first gained attention when hundreds of dead birds were discovered at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in August. Since then, similar reports have emerged from other locations in New Mexico, as well as Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and Chihuahua, Mexico.

Possible Causes Under Investigation

Researchers are actively exploring potential causes for the mass die-off. One hypothesis is that the numerous wildfires burning along the West Coast may have contributed to the deaths through smoke inhalation or forced route changes. Another possibility is a sudden cold snap that recently gripped portions of the Rockies and High Plains. A drought in the Southwest, which has decimated the insect populations that many migratory birds rely on for food, is also being considered.

Emaciated Birds and Mid-Flight Demise

Many of the dead birds collected by researchers exhibit signs of emaciation, suggesting they may have been struggling to find food. Some birds even appear to have simply fallen out of the sky mid-flight.

“They’re literally just feathers and bones,” said Allison Salas, a graduate student at New Mexico State University who has been collecting carcasses. “Almost as if they have been flying until they just couldn’t fly any more.”

National Tragedy and Public Involvement

Martha Desmond, an ecologist at New Mexico State University, described the situation as a “national tragedy.”

“To see this many individuals and species dying is devastating,” she said. “It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of our ecosystems.”

The public is urged to report any unusual dead birds they find using the iNaturalist website or mobile app. This data could help researchers understand the species and locations being hit especially hard.

Cautions and Further Analysis

Those who encounter dead or unhealthy birds are advised to be cautious and wear gloves if they intend to collect specimens. The birds will be sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory in Oregon for further analysis. However, experts caution that it may take weeks or even months to determine the exact cause of the die-off.

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