The RSPB has removed flat bird feeders from its website following alerts that they may be helping spread of fatal diseases among UK birds. The organisation highlighted that feeding birds on flat surfaces like tables may contribute to the dissemination of sicknesses, such as finch trichomonosis, which has been cited as a reason for the declining greenfinch numbers.
In a message to customers, they said: “We know so many of you love feeding your garden birds and some bird species really do benefit from us putting out extra food for them, especially in winter. However, there is increasing evidence that for other birds there can also be negative effects such as the spread of disease, especially among finches.
“As a precautionary measure, whilst we await the findings of the review, we have suspended all our bird tables and related products, table mix and table mix extra, window feeders and feeder guardians with trays, from sale. This is because there is evidence to suggest that some birds, particularly finches, can be more exposed to disease when fed on flat surfaces like these.”
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Many scientists and bird lovers are growing increasingly concerned about the greenfinch, which has seen numbers plummet by 63% since 1993 following a devastating trichomonosis outbreak caused by the Trichomonas gallinae parasite. The greenfinch was classified as at risk and joined the red list in 2021.
Experts suggest infections are most likely spread amongst birds during the breeding season through feeding each other regurgitated food or through contaminated food or water sources. The chaffinch has faced similar population declines.
Responding to the RSPB’s decision, Jon Carter from the British Trust for Ornithology said: “Research demonstrates that there are both pros and cons to feeding the wild birds that visit our gardens. We understand the concerns that people may have about possible negative effects, particularly those linked to the emergence of infectious diseases such as finch trichomonosis.
“It is the evidence from this research that shapes the advice that we provide on feeding, and we will continue to update this advice as new evidence comes to light.”
He added that the research on whether flat surfaces spread diseases had not yet been completed. But he further advised that people can still leave food out for birds in winter as long as they frequently clean their feeders to avoid the spread of disease.
“Our current advice is to maintain regular feeder and bird bath hygiene, withdrawing feeding only if there are signs of illness. As a precaution, people might wish to avoid using flat surfaces for feeding birds.
“We will update our advice once the relevant research has been completed and the results published through peer review. The RSPB decision to remove certain types of feeder from sale is in line with a precautionary approach, and we support this decision.”