Backyard birds have been getting sick from a disease called salmonellosis, which particularly targets finches and other small species: the Pine Siskins.
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that causes ruffled feathers and lethargy among other symptoms.
Ashton Kluttz, executive director of The Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa, told KCBS Radio some birds will cover with 200 recently hospitalized at her facility. "We do everything that we can to try to save each and every bird that comes in," adding that "unfortunately with this instance it is fairly fatal."
Kluttz said the best way to keep birds healthy right now is to take down bird feeders and baths until spring to help minimize the spread of this avian disease.
Where birds gather, sick birds make other birds sick.
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