Numerous suspected cases and several confirmed cases of a parasite affecting songbirds have been reported across the Maritimes this summer.
Wildlife pathologist Laura Bourque with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative says trichomonosis can make birds appear fluffy, they may seem depressed and may have wet feathers and seeds around their beaks.
She adds the birds also become easily approachable.
“It will cause very serious disease in the songbirds, purple finches and gold finches mostly, that we often see in our bird feeders,” she notes.
Bourque says this disease is transmitted from bird to bird as they develop inflammation in their mouths and throats which prevents them from swallowing water and eventually they die.
If anyone sees a sick bird at their feeder, they should take it down and contact wildlife officials.
For more information, visit the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative HERE
