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Here is a link to an article entitled <strong><em>Avian influenza: Should you take down your feeders?</em></strong> on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (allaboutbirds.org) website:
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<strong><em><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/">https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/</a></em></strong>
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There has been widespread transmission of avian flu to wild bird species including waterfowl and raptors. However, there have been relatively few documented <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/#species-list">cases of HPAI in songbirds</a> and other typical feeder visitors to date, although this may change with increased testing or changes to the virus. That means there is currently a<strong> low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds</strong>, and <strong>no </strong><a href="https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Should-bird-feeders-be-taken-down-to-prevent-the-spread-of-diseases-such-as-bird-flu"><strong>official recommendation</strong></a><strong> to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry</strong>, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program. We do always recommend that you <a href="https://feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds/safe-feeding-environment/?__hstc=75100365.58a86efae10d6191919354d7046cd34c.1732410250228.1739311531293.1739994462121.7&__hssc=75100365.1.1739994462121&__hsfp=741388166">clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly</a> as a way to keep many kinds of diseases at bay.
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Gene Bullock, Kitsap Audubon Society
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