In recent days we have heard from a growing number of customers and staff that have seen House Finches with swollen, runny or crusted over eyes - like the bird in the photo. The birds are infected with Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis – sometimes referred to as House Finch disease. This disease can spread quickly between House Finches, but can also sicken other finch species including American Goldfinches, Evening Grosbeaks and Purple Finches. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch, Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis has not been found in bird species other than finches.

If you see finches suffering from conjunctivitis, please immediately take your feeders down, clean them and leave them inside for about a week. Feeders tend to be gathering spots for finches and by leaving feeders inside you will help minimize the spread of the disease.

Even if you haven’t seen any sick birds, it is always a good idea to keep your feeders clean. Birds can become ill from eating food that has become moldy or has come in contact with droppings. If you see a sick bird or if you haven’t cleaned your feeders in some time, it’s best to scrub them with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to 9 parts water) and remember to rinse them thoroughly with hot water. Feeders can also be cleaned with hot water and soap, such as Dawn Antibacterial Dish Soap. If you put out a birdbath, please remember to keep these clean as well.

Thank you for helping to keep our backyard birds healthy and safe!