House Finch Eye Disease: Bird Feeders Linked to Contagious Illness in Virginia

Wildlife experts in Virginia are warning residents about a surge in cases of a highly contagious eye disease affecting local bird populations. The illness, known as House Finch eye disease or mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, is spreading rapidly, particularly as birds congregate at feeders following a cold, wet winter.

The bacterial infection, caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum, manifests in birds with red, swollen, and often crusty eyes. Birds exhibiting symptoms may also display difficulty landing or a reluctance to fly when approached, according to experts.

“Moisture can cause old seed and dirty feeder surfaces to harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of transmission,” explained Julie Wobig, a songbird rehabilitator, in an interview. She advises individuals who observe a sick bird to prepare for capture by lining a box with a towel and ensuring adequate ventilation. “You’re going to want to attempt although he’s on the feeder,” Wobig said, emphasizing the importance of catching the bird before removing feeders.

Wobig recommends wearing gloves when handling infected birds and transporting them to a wildlife rehabilitation clinic. Following capture, she stresses the need to thoroughly clean feeders with a 10 percent bleach solution. Experts also suggest switching to “pass-through” feeders, which minimize contact between birds and potentially contaminated surfaces.

While House Finch eye disease was first documented in eastern House Finches in 1994, the infection has since been observed in other songbird species, including American Goldfinch, Evening Grosbeak, and Purple Finch, according to the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. The bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum is also known to cause respiratory infections in poultry.

The disease can lead to blindness and, death from starvation, exposure, or predation. Wobig encourages residents to notify their neighbors so that a coordinated effort to clean and maintain feeders can be undertaken to help curb the spread of the illness. The rapid spread of the disease is particularly concerning given its potential impact on bird populations.