Overview
- The RSPB, which published updated advice Tuesday, asked people to stop using flat-surface feeders and to pause seeds and peanuts from May 1 to October 31.
- The charity links trichomonosis, a parasite that infects the throat and gullet, to steep losses in greenfinch and chaffinch and a fast decline in bullfinch.
- Researchers found no trichomonosis on feeder surfaces in a garden study but detected it on food, base trays, and the ground where sick birds spit up food they cannot swallow.
- Households can still offer small amounts of mealworms, fatballs, or suet, clean feeders often, move feeding spots weekly, spread feeders out, and change any drinking water daily.
- Risk is highest in summer and autumn, while cold weather lowers parasite survival, so the RSPB still supports winter feeding and help during the March–April hungry gap.