A female Eastern Towhee and a Song Sparrow share some seed at the birdfeeder.
News — Bird feeders are a welcome treat and food source for many birds during the winter months, but it’s important to regularly clean the feeder. Dirty feeders can be a space that spreads diseases such as Mycoplasma conjunctivitis that cause serious illness in wild birds. Keeping an eye on the cleanliness of your bird feeders and any odd behaviors or appearance of the birds visiting the feeder can help minimize the risk of diseases.
Our experts from the Tufts Wildlife Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University shared the following information about Mycoplasma conjunctivitis:
What is Mycoplasma conjunctivitis?
Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that can cause illness in birds. The species that causes conjunctivitis in songbirds, particularly finches, is Mycoplasma gallisepticum.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Mycoplasma conjunctivitis include:
- Swollen, crusted eyelids
- Impaired vision and disorientation
- Discharge from one or both eyes
- Reluctance or inability to fly due to impaired vision or secondary injuries; being unable to see due to swollen eyelids can cause birds to collide with windows or buildings and leave them susceptible to being caught by a predator, an outdoor cat, or a dog.
How does it spread?
This disease is transmitted through ocular or nasal discharge through physical contact with other birds or contact with contaminated surfaces such as bird feeders. The disease becomes more prevalent in the fall and winter when birds congregate around food sources, increasing the likelihood of transmission.
What can be done to mitigate the spread?
Routine cleaning of bird feeders, washing thoroughly with dish soap and water.
Wash thoroughly with dish soap and water, and using a 9:1 bleach solution, soak bird feeders for at least 15 minutes, scrub all surfaces, and rinse thoroughly. Use gloves and wash your hands after cleaning the bird feeder.
What do I do if I find a bird showing signs of Mycoplasma conjunctivitis?
Be sure to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you to determine if the bird needs assistance. Always use caution around sick birds and use personal protective equipment such as gloves and a face mask.
For more information about Tufts Wildlife Clinic, visit
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