Go Ahead and Feed the Birds!

Last summer, wildlife organizations in several Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states issued advisories for backyard birding enthusiasts to remove feeders and bird baths to halt the spread of a mysterious disease plaguing songbirds. Those advisories have been rescinded. Investigations to explain mysterious illness in birds are still ongoing, but several possible causes have been ruled out. Read on to discover what we’ve learned—and get a refresher on the best ways to keep your feeders and bird baths clean to prevent the spread of disease.