Does avian influenza affect wild birds? Find out if you need to take down bird feeders. Plus learn the risk to backyard chickens.
Avian Influenza: Should You Take Down Bird Feeders?
Published on Apr. 10, 2025
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What Is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza, or the bird flu, is an extremely infectious respiratory disease that affects all domestic poultry, including laying hens, broilers, and turkeys, as well as waterfowl and game birds. It can spread quickly within flocks causing severe disease and death.
Ken Keffer, co-owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited Store in Bloomington, Indiana, says, “Avian flu isn’t new. Avian influenzas were first identified in Europe in the 1870s. Variants of the current highly pathogenic avian influenza strain (HPAI H5N1) first emerged in southern China in 1996.”
Learn more about other common wild bird diseases.
Data on Cases of Avian Influenza
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, currently all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico have confirmed avian flu cases. USDA data shows the virus has infected over 168 million birds.
While the CDC says the current public health risk is low, 70 human cases have been reported to date with one fatality. Human to human transmission has not been reported at this time. The majority of exposures took place on dairy cattle and poultry farm operations.
In the last outbreak of bird flu, more than 200 commercial flocks and 21 backyard flocks in the U.S. were affected, leading to the deaths of more than 50 million birds between 2014 and 2015.
We asked an expert—to avoid bird flu, is it safe to go bird-watching?
Which Species Are Affected by Bird Flu?
In wild birds, waterfowl including ducks, geese, and swans, are the main group impacted. It can be fatal in these species, although often they carry and transmit the virus without showing symptoms.
Other birds including raptors like hawks and bald eagles, as well as shorebirds and gulls have also tested positive for HPAI H5N1 during this outbreak.
Research has shown songbirds are less likely to contract bird flu and are less likely to shed large amounts of the virus. A small number of corvid species (crows, jays, and magpies) have tested positive.
Is it Safe to Feed Wild Birds Right Now?
Given the news headlines about avian flu, many backyard birders have concerns if their feeders are safe. “Based on my discussions with wildlife veterinarians, it is safe as long as you’re talking about songbirds,” says Joy O’Keefe, assistant professor and Illinois Extension wildlife specialist in the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences.
There is no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program.
Ken says, “The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and United States Department of Agriculture have both stated that bird feeding is safe. Out of an abundance of caution, some agencies initially suggested taking feeders down, but these guidelines have been scaled back. Currently, I’m not aware of any restrictions in place on bird feeders.”
As an alternative to bird feeders, Joy advises homeowners to plant native shrubs and wildflowers this spring for their backyard birds. “In the absence of feeders, birds should be able to find natural sources of food from sprouting native plants and emerging insects,” she says.
Are Birdseed Feeders a Greater Risk Than Hummingbird Feeders?
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says hummingbird feeders and oriole feeders do not need to be removed. Check with your state wildlife agency for updated guidelines in your area.
Joy says, “While all are low risk, feeders that let multiple species accumulate together to feed in one location are a somewhat abnormal situation that doesn’t occur in nature and allow pathogens to mutate. One species is less likely to cause a problem.”
She also emphasizes that hummingbird feeders typically get cleaned more frequently.
Clean Feeders to Reduce the Spread of Disease
Maintaining clean feeders and bird baths is always important. Joy says, “The way that we treat seed feeders is a little bit dangerous; it’s not ideal for the birds. We should be better about cleaning them.”
Scrub your feeders clean with some soapy water and a good stiff brush. Then soak them in a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for a few minutes. Next, rinse them very thoroughly and let them dry completely before putting them back outside.
Here’s how to clean a bird bath.
Ken points out it’s also important to maintain a clean area around your feeders. “If you aren’t feeding a no mess blend of seeds without any shells, rake up the empty hulls from under the feeders. You can also consider moving your feeding station around the yard to minimize accumulation,” he says.
Joy says it’s also good practice for homeowners to do some biosecurity. “If there’s a large amount of feces, move the feeders. Maybe take your shoes off at the door so you don’t take them inside. Minimize the spread of pathogens.”
Are Backyard Chickens at Risk?
Poultry operations are especially feeling the effects of bird flu. When the disease is detected in domestic poultry, flocks are depopulated to prevent the disease from spreading and removed from the food system. Other area flocks are then monitored for the disease.
Pet birds and backyard chicken flocks can also be susceptible to bird flu.
The USDA has issued biosafety recommendations for backyard poultry flocks, urging them to keep things as clean as they can. Owners should also take steps to prevent contact between their flock and wild birds. Remove standing water if possible because it will attract migratory waterfowl.
Ken says if you raise poultry and live in an area where avian influenza is being reported, you could consider removing bird feeders in the short term.
Joy agrees. “For people who have backyard chicken flocks, keep your bird feeder in a separate area or take it down. To protect your own flock, you want to keep it separate,” she says.
However, she says people who live in rural areas with farms or chickens nearby should not worry about exposure. “If you’re not interacting with those chickens directly and they’re not walking in your backyard, you should be fine.”
Avoid Attracting Waterfowl
It is essential right now to make sure bird feeders are not accessible to waterfowl.
Joy says, “If ducks or geese are coming into your yard, you probably want to avoid feeding backyard birds.”
If you are concerned because geese walk around or gather in an area near you, wash the bottoms of your shoes or wear changeable boots. “Keep it out of your house,” Joy says. “Don’t track that into your own chicken flock or your house if you have pets.”
Is Bird Flu Dangerous to Humans or Pets?
The CDC is monitoring the recent HPAI outbreak and reports it is not an immediate public health concern for people. However, pet owners should know that dozens of cats have been infected, ranging from domestic animals to big cats at zoos and in the wild.
According the the Cornell University Department of Veterinary Medicine, H5N1 can cause serious illness in cats, and up to 70 percent of infected cats may die.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says while the risk of cat-to-cat or cat-to-human transmission is considered low, it cannot be ruled out at this time.
Joy offers suggestions to reduce the risk to your pets. “There is a concern with feeding raw food, it could come from tainted meat that was infected with HPAI. Don’t feed raw food. Also if you work with poultry or cattle or have backyard chickens, try to not bring those pathogens into the house. Keep shoes outside, use gloves. Try to not let pets roam around outside near the chickens,” she says.
While dogs are less likely to be infected, the USDA recommends that you keep your dog on a leash to make sure they don’t interact with waterfowl.
Cases in Dairy Cattle
While the disease primarily is known for affecting poultry flocks, outbreaks have also been reported in dairy cattle.
Joy says, “If you are a person who works in dairy or poultry operations you might not want to feed your backyard birds and need to be super mindful about what you’re doing at home with your family and pets. Folks who work in those environments should be extra cautions to not bring the virus home.”
What to Do If You See Sick or Dead Birds
The general advice is if you see a single dead bird don’t be overly worried.
“More than five is a big concern,” Joy says. “But [for a single bird] if it’s waterfowl, I don’t see the harm in contacting the state department of public health and state department of natural resources,” Joy says. “Maybe take a picture of it. If they don’t respond, double bag it. Put gloves on, pick it up with a garbage bag, don’t touch it, and put it inside another garbage bag. Don’t leave it out for other animals to feed on and be infected.”
You can also report dead birds to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services toll-free at 1-866-536-7593.
“The takeaway message is just to be more vigilant looking for dead birds. Be mindful of how we keep our feeders and be mindful of what we track indoors and where we let our pets go. It doesn’t mean you have to curtail bird-watching activities all together. Just pay attention to what you’re seeing,” Joy says.
Is Avian Influenza Seasonal?
According to Joy, the avian influenza risk will go down as we move into summer. “It’s less of a risk when it’s warmer. Just like with people, the risk is greater in the winter. Expect it to die down in a few months,” she says.
Ken agrees. “Past outbreaks of avian flu have generally waned by early summer,” he says.
Next, find out how to help a bird that flew into a window.
About the Experts
Joy O’Keefe works as an assistant professor and wildlife extension specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, at the University of Illinois. She earned a Ph.D. in wildlife and fisheries biology from Clemson University.
Ken Keffer is an award-winning environmental educator and author, and he served as the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s president. He has a degree in wildlife biology. He and his wife own a backyard bird feeding nature shop in Bloomington, Indiana.
