With the ongoing avian flu outbreak posing serious risks to bird populations, gardeners are being urged to reassess how they feed wildlife. While bird feeders have long been a reliable way to support wildlife, they invite birds to gather and congregate and thus can become breeding grounds for the virus to spread.
To slow the transmission of the virus, some wildlife agencies, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, have recommended removing traditional bird feeders and bird baths. While this might seem cruel, reducing interactions of birds in your yard can be necessary and indeed, prevent infection. There are, however, many methods that can keep birds well-fed while reducing the risk of transmission.
