Veterinary surveillance: Garden bird deaths
Trichomonas
is a protozoal parasite which causes necrotic inflammation of the oral
cavity and oesophagus. The disease most commonly affects greenfinches
(Carduelis chloris) and chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs)
in Great Britain. However, other small passerine species are susceptible,
for example the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). The disease
is characterised by thickening and ulceration of the oesphagus and crop,
it can progress to complete obstruction of the upper digestive tract.
Transmission of infection between birds is most likely to be by birds feeding one another with regurgitated food during the breeding season and/or through an infected environment – particularly contamination of bird feeders and drinkers by the agent (fresh saliva from an infected bird).
Deaths in garden birds are being investigated by Defra through our Wildlife Surveillance scheme operated by the Veterinary Laboratories agency
We are also working closely with the Garden Bird Health Initiative (GBHi), which includes a collaborative project co-ordinated by Institute of Zoology, involving the BTO, RSPB, Scottish Agricultural College, University of Liverpool, Universities Federation for Animal Welfare and the Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre,. The GBHi has wildlife pathologists based all around the country investigating deaths of garden birds. They have a report line, which you can contact if you have found dead or sick garden birds.
Garden Bird health Initiative Helpline: 020 7449 6685
Further information
- The Garden Bird Health Initiative have produced a fact
sheet
(62 KB) - Link to GBHi website. - Garden Bird Health Initiative website
- Further information on best practice for feeding garden birds can be found on the Universities Federation of Animal Welfare website.
Page last reviewed:
19 March 2007
Page last modified:
March 19, 2007