IMPORTANT AVIAN FLU UPDATE
Effective today, IDNR is recommending a halt to the use of bird feeders and bird baths through May 31, or until avian flu infections in the Midwest subside, especially those that waterfowl may visit. During spring, wild birds will have ample food sources while bird feeders are removed.
HPAI has not been detected in songbird species (passerines) at this time.
Further recommendations from the agency:
Clean and rinse bird feeders and baths with a diluted bleach solution (nine parts water to one part bleach) and put away or clean weekly if they can’t be moved away from birds.
Remove any bird seed at the base of bird feeders to discourage large gatherings of birds or other wildlife.
Avoid feeding wild birds in close proximity to domestic flocks.
If five or more deceased wild birds are observed in one location, an IDNR district wildlife biologist should be contacted. Contact information for district wildlife biologists can be found at https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/…/contact-an-idnr…/. USDA Wildlife Services also may be contacted at 1-866-487-3297.
In addition, IDNR requests all occurrences of deceased or sick bald eagles be reported to the agency.
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