We generally do not hear too much about House Finch Eye Disease in our area, but it is still one of the most commonly seen (and discussed) illnesses in feeder birds. We have not heard reports of populations with House Finch Eye Disease among our customers recently.

In our area, especially, House Finch Eye Disease is much more likely as the weather gets colder and birds start to flock together more and more for winter survival. While illness and disease can occur at any point throughout the year, that flocking behavior puts our feathered friends at higher risk. One relatively common disease that often starts showing up in the fall and winter months is Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis, otherwise known as House Finch Eye Disease. Much like a cold at a school, this highly contagious disease can spread quickly through flocks of finches, so it is important to recognize the signs in order to help keep your backyard birds safe & healthy.

Although House Finches are affected most often, the infection has also been found in other finches and songbirds. Knowing what to watch for and responding promptly can help reduce opportunities for illness to spread at your Colorado Springs feeding station.

What Is House Finch Eye Disease?

House Finch eye disease is caused by a strain of the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The disease was first documented in wild House Finches in the eastern United States during the 1990s and later spread across much of North America.

The infection affects the eyes and respiratory system. It is not considered a human health threat, but it can cause serious problems for affected birds.

Birds with swollen or closed eyes may have difficulty seeing food, avoiding windows, escaping predators, and protecting themselves from severe weather. Some birds recover, while others die from complications such as starvation, exposure, or predation.

What Does House Finch Eye Disease Look Like?

Possible signs include:

• Red or swollen eyelids
• Watery, runny or crusted eyes
• Feathers matted around the eyes or face
• One or both eyes swollen partially or completely shut
• Frequent scratching or rubbing of the face against a perch
• Difficulty locating food
• Remaining at a feeder longer than usual
• Sitting quietly, appearing fluffed up or showing little response
• Labored breathing or discharge around the nostrils

These symptoms cannot confirm a diagnosis by themselves. Injuries and other illnesses can produce similar signs.

Avian pox can sometimes be mistaken for conjunctivitis. Pox is more likely to produce distinct wart-like growths or lesions on the unfeathered skin around the eyes, bill, legs or feet. The appropriate initial response at a feeding station is similar for either illness: remove the affected feeders, clean the area, and give the birds time to disperse.

How Does It Spread?

The bacteria can spread through close contact between birds and through respiratory or eye secretions left on shared surfaces. Feeders may contribute when birds crowd together or rub their faces against contaminated ports and perches.

House Finches are social birds that often travel and feed in groups. A busy feeding station can therefore create additional opportunities for an infected bird to contact other birds or leave contaminated material behind.

This does not mean that feeders cause the disease. It means that cleanliness, spacing and prompt action are important whenever birds gather to eat or drink.

What Should I Do If I See a Sick Bird?

If a bird with swollen, crusted or closed eyes has been using your feeding station:

• Take down the feeders the bird has been using. If birds move regularly among several feeders in the same station, remove all of them.
• Discard the remaining bird food. Do not return potentially contaminated food to its original container or scatter it on the ground.
• Clean away spilled food and waste. Rake or sweep up seed, shells and droppings beneath the feeding area.
• Wash and disinfect the feeders. Remove visible debris first. Then disinfect the feeders using approximately one part household bleach to ten parts water.
• Rinse everything thoroughly. Allow every feeder component to dry completely before it is used again.
• Leave the affected feeders down for approximately two weeks. This encourages birds to disperse and reduces repeated contact at that location.
• Continue monitoring the area. If another sick bird appears after the feeders return, repeat the process.

Do not mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or any other cleaning product.

Should I Remove My Bird Baths Too?

If the sick bird has used your bird bath, temporarily remove or empty it and give it a thorough cleaning and disinfection. Rinse it carefully before refilling it.

Bird-bath water should be replaced frequently, with droppings, feathers and other debris removed promptly. Clean water is important for birds, but a heavily used or contaminated bath can also become a shared contact point.

Learn more in our Bird Baths in Colorado Springs Guide.

Should I Try to Treat the Bird?

Do not add antibiotics, medications, or home remedies to bird food or drinking water.

There is no way to control which animals consume medicated food, determine whether they receive an appropriate dose or ensure that treatment is suitable for the illness. Improper medication can also contribute to antibiotic resistance and may allow an infected bird to remain at a crowded feeder longer.

Most wild birds are protected by law and may only be captured or treated by properly licensed professionals. Do not attempt to capture a sick bird unless a licensed wildlife rehabilitator has given you instructions.

If the bird cannot fly, is in immediate danger or appears severely ill, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.

How Can I Reduce Disease at My Feeders?

No backyard feeding station can be guaranteed disease-free, but several habits can reduce contamination and crowding:

• Clean feeders regularly, not only when a sick bird appears.
• Replace wet, moldy or contaminated food immediately.
• Choose feeders that can be completely disassembled and cleaned.
• Avoid feeding ports or crevices that are difficult to reach with a cleaning brush.
• Spread feeders apart to reduce crowding.
• Clean the ground beneath feeders.
• Use trays or no-mess foods to reduce accumulated waste.
• Keep food dry and store it in clean, wildlife-resistant containers.
• Change bird-bath water frequently and scrub the basin regularly.
• Wash your hands after handling feeders, baths or bird waste.
• Watch for changes in birds’ appearance and behavior.

For routine cleaning, follow the instructions provided for your particular feeder. Your feeder may be cleaned with hot soapy water or a solution of one part white vinegar to ten parts water. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before refilling it.

If a sick bird has used the feeder, use the bleach disinfection process described above.

Visit our Backyard Bird Care Guide for additional information about cleaning feeders, keeping food fresh and maintaining a healthier feeding station.

Help Scientists Track the Disease

Reports from people watching birds at home helped researchers recognize the original spread of House Finch eye disease. That community science continues today.

Participants in Project FeederWatch can report birds showing signs of illness while contributing observations that help researchers better understand bird populations and disease.

Photographs can also be helpful for documenting what you observed. Take pictures from a safe distance with a camera or zoom lens rather than approaching or handling the bird.

A Sick Bird Is a Signal to Pause

Seeing a sick bird can be upsetting, but taking feeders down temporarily is one of the most helpful actions you can take. A clean feeding station and a short break give birds space to disperse and reduce opportunities for the infection to move between visitors.

Our team at Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs can help you choose easy-to-clean feeders, find replacement parts, and select appropriate feeder-cleaning supplies. We cannot diagnose or treat wildlife disease, but we are always happy to help you improve the health and cleanliness of your feeding station.

 

Additional Resources:

Cornell Lab: House Finch Eye Disease
Project FeederWatch: House Finch Eye Disease
Cornell Wildlife Health Lab: Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis
Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs: Bird Health