Overview
- RSPB guidance, which took effect Friday, asks people to stop putting out seeds and peanuts until October 31 and to offer only small amounts of mealworms, suet or fat balls.
- The move targets trichomonosis, a parasite that causes throat lesions so birds struggle to swallow, with greenfinches and chaffinches hit especially hard.
- Researchers link higher transmission to warmer months when birds crowd feeders, so full seed feeding is set to resume from November through April.
- Households are told to clean feeders weekly, move them to fresh spots, keep food dry, avoid bird tables and trays, and refresh bird bath water daily.
- Studies cited by the RSPB show finches survive less well in suburban gardens where feeding can cluster birds, so changing habits could ease disease spread and help vulnerable species.