COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is urging residents who own bird feeders to remove them until next month, pointing to a rise in bird deaths that could be caused by dirty feeders.
Wildlife officials advised on Monday that residents should take down their feeders until early April, according to a statement from the department. Experts are concerned that mold or bacteria that easily forms on wet bird seed could possibly be spreading deadly diseases to the animals.
“This moldy bird seed and uncleaned bird feeders can cause birds to become sick,” a statement from the department said. “Specifically, mold can cause fatal avian diseases. The risk is greatly reduced when bird feeders are cleaned regularly.”
The agency said that over the last several weeks it has received an increase in mortality reports for Pine Siskins, and other species. Pine Siskins are more susceptible than other species to getting sick from dirty bird feeders, officials said.
The department added that temporarily removing bird feeders would not prevent wild birds from returning when feeders are replaced.
