Watching wild birds gather in the garden is a simple pleasure shared by millions of people. For many, keeping a bird feeder stocked feels like an easy way to support local wildlife.
But researchers now say that well-intentioned habit may carry unexpected risks during a bird flu outbreak.
According to experts from Griffith University, writing in The Conversation, backyard bird feeders could help the H5N1 avian influenza virus spread by bringing different bird species into close contact, reports ScienceDaily.
Their warning comes as Australia continues to deal with outbreaks affecting wild birds and other animals.
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Why it matters
The concern is not the bird food itself but what happens around it. Feeding stations attract large numbers of birds to the same location, increasing opportunities for viruses to pass between species that would rarely gather so closely in nature.
Researchers say this could place additional pressure on vulnerable wildlife populations, including threatened bird species.
H5N1 has already caused significant losses among wild birds in several parts of the world and has also been detected in some mammals that feed on infected carcasses.
Reducing the risk
The researchers say the safest option during an outbreak is to stop feeding wild birds altogether.
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Previous studies suggest that most birds obtain the majority of their diet from natural food sources, meaning backyard feeders are generally not essential for their survival.
If people choose to continue feeding birds, experts recommend taking several precautions: Provide only small amounts of food, avoid hand-feeding, and regularly disinfect feeders and feeding surfaces to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Reducing the number of birds gathering in one place may help limit opportunities for the virus to spread.
Looking ahead
The researchers emphasize that human infections with H5N1 remain rare and are usually linked to close contact with infected animals rather than casual outdoor activities.
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Their findings highlight how everyday habits can influence wildlife health. As H5N1 continues to spread, temporarily changing the way people interact with wild birds could help protect both common and endangered species.
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This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.