Avian Influenza and Backyard Bird Feeding 2023 

What You Need to Know

Please note: This Avian Influenza outbreak is continuously evolving. We will update our guidance as needed.

Avian Flu Reports

  • March 14 , the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), subtype H5N1, in a poultry flock in the in Chatham-Kent and West Lincoln (southeast of Hamilton)
  • March 21 -  Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative confirms H5N1 present in 60 to 100 dead geese in Brampton areas of Professor’s Lake and Duncan Valley Foster South

To-date there have been no human cases of avian influenza resulting from exposure to wild birds in North America.

Avian Influenza Type A (H5N2, H5N8 and H5N1)

Avian Influenza Type A is a virus that occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide (ducks, geese, shorebirds etc.). The current avian influenza in Canada and the US is a form of HPAI H5N1 that is the same as has been found in Europe (also considered the Eurasian H5 avian influenza).

Avian influenza Type A viruses usually do not infect humans and only rare cases of human infection with these viruses have been reported during past outbreaks in other countries. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada currently deem H5N1 to be of low human health risk. The first (and currently only) report of a human infection with Asian H5N1 in the Americas was in Canada on January 8, 2014, and occurred in a traveler recently returning from China. H5N1 virus infections in people are rare and these viruses do not spread easily from person to person. Most infections that have been detected have occurred in people with close or prolonged, unprotected contact with infected poultry.

Feeding Wild Birds in Your Backyard

  • There is no need to stop watching, feeding or attracting birds to your yard because of the avian flu. There is no evidence humans are at risk of contracting avian flu from backyard birds or bird feeding.
  • In North America, the wild birds most likely to harbor avian flu or spread it are gulls, ducks and other waterfowl. The backyard birds that visit our feeders appear to be significantly less susceptible and much less likely to become a source for the virus.
  • In other countries that experienced past avian flu outbreaks, wild birds have not played a role in the transmission of the disease to humans. Human infections with other avian influenza viruses have only occurred after close and prolonged contacts with infected poultry or the excretions/secretions of infected poultry.
  • Only one human avian flu infection has been reported in North America as a result of the current outbreak in wild birds or domestic poultry. This was not at bird feeders. It was someone culling (depopulating) commercial poultry with presumptive H5N1 bird flu. According to the CDC, this does “not change the human risk assessment to the general public, which CDC considers to be low.”

Is it still safe to feed the birds?

  • It is safe to feed and attracts birds to your backyard. No one has ever been known to contract avian flu from wild birds in their yards.
  • The backyard birds that visit our feeders appear to be significantly less susceptible and much less likely to become a source for the virus.
  • As with any bird or animal, wild or domestic, it is always prudent to take sensible precautions after direct or indirect contact. Be careful around animal droppings or water used by birds and animals; wash your hands after contact with soap and water.
  • Wild Birds Unlimited is committed to keeping you and your family safe and informed about issues that may affect the hobby of bird feeding. Your safety and the health of birds and wildlife are our primary concern.
  • We are actively connected with the proper wild bird and health experts to keep our customers informed of any developments that could affect safe backyard bird feeding practices.

Can I still go bird watching?

  • There is no reason to be afraid of wild birds! The risk of acquiring any infection from wild birds is extremely low. Bird watching remains a safe and rewarding hobby to pursue.

Can a person become infected with avian flu by touching or cleaning a bird feeder or bath?

  • Generally, perching birds (Passeriformes) are the predominate type of birds at feeders. Most of the wild birds that have been associated with avian influenza viruses are waterfowl and shorebird species which do not typically visit backyard bird feeders.
  • There is no known risk of becoming infected with avian flu from bird feeders or baths.

I have seen geese and ducks in a nearby park, is there any danger?

  • Geese and ducks may carry the virus, but this does not change any risk factors and should not alarm you.
  • The wild birds most likely to harbor avian flu viruses are gulls, ducks, geese and other waterfowl. These birds do not generally visit backyard bird feeders.
  • As with any bird or animal, wild or domestic, it is always prudent to take sensible precautions after direct or indirect contact. Be careful around animal droppings or water used by birds and animals; wash your hands after contact with soap and water.

What the Experts Say

Only you can decide what the best course of action is for your yard, this will in part depend on whether you also keep domestic birds (poultry). Many leading experts from around North America do not believe there is any reason to remove bird feeders at this time as backyard birds seem to be significantly less susceptible to the disease. Here is what some of the experts are saying:

However, according to the Cornell University Wildlife Health Lab, “...there is currently low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds, and no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry..."

And the Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases at U Penn Vet School states, “According to the USDA, there is no evidence that birdfeeders, or the birds that frequent them, contribute to the spread of HPAI.”

The US Department of Agriculture further states, “HPAI viruses and the illness they cause are not commonly found in wild birds…removing backyard feeders is not something USDA specifically recommends to prevent avian influenza unless you also take care of poultry.” Also, the Government of Canada affirms, “The use of bird feeders is still safe but they should be removed from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals.” Birds Canada has a webpage dedicated to updated information on the avian influenza outbreak.

In addition, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada currently deem H5N1 to be of low human health risk.

To practice the hobby of bird feeding safely and to ensure the birds’ overall health, it is always recommended you clean your bird feeders regularly with a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water. Videos - cleaning your bird feeders - Dismantle and Clean Your Eliminator and Seed Tubes in General

Signs of a Sick Bird

Do not touch a dead, injured or sick bird. Signs of avian influenza include:

  • Nervousness, tremors or lack of coordination
  • Swelling around the head, neck and eyes
  • Lack of energy or movement
  • Coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
  • Diarrhea
  • Sudden death

Reporting Sick or Dead Birds

In Ontario, to the Ontario regional centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at (866) 673-4781

More Resources

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