Can small birds visiting my feeder get bird flu? Does feeding them put my family at risk?
A. Public health and wildlife officials say small birds elsewhere have been infected by the H5N1 virus. Small birds also can carry bacteria that are harmful to people. Bird feeders aren’t recommended because birds don’t need extra food in the summer and the feeders attract bears. When it comes to H5N1, however, health and wildlife officials say bird feeders are unlikely to pose a significant threat to homeowners.
