PRO/AH/EDR> Trichomoniasis, avian – UK: songbird

TRICHOMONIASIS, AVIAN – UK: SONGBIRDS

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Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025

Source: Mirror [edited]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/gardening/warning-households-deadly-disease-spreads-34537272

UK households are being urged to be vigilant for signs of a deadly disease spreading among songbirds. The disease, known as trichomonosis, “canker,” or “frounce,” is caused by a microscopic parasite that infects tissues in the bird’s mouth, throat, and esophagus, making it difficult for them to eat and breathe.

While greenfinches and chaffinches are particularly susceptible, other birds such as sparrows, pigeons, doves, yellowhammers, goldfinches, dunnocks, great tits, siskins, and bullfinches have also been affected. Evidence suggests that the disease can spread through bird feeders, particularly flat ones.

This comes after the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) removed flat bird feeders from its website due to concerns that they could contribute to the spread of the illness. Gardeners are now being advised to look out for signs of sick birds in their gardens, which may include lethargy, puffed-up plumage, and difficulty maintaining balance.

According to the British Trust for Ornithology, swelling of the neck may occur, feathers around the beak may appear wet, and affected birds may have difficulty swallowing.

May drool saliva or excrete a greenish fluid or a cheese-like substance from their beaks. People are also being advised to avoid using flat bird feeders, as bacteria from decaying food and waste from seed husks can accumulate, increasing the risk of infection.

The British greenfinch population has experienced a catastrophic decline, with experts at the British Trust for Ornithology firmly blaming the notorious disease trichomonosis. This alarming decline led to the species’ listing on the UK Red List in 2021, particularly concerning given its already well-known impact on cage bird populations, as reported by the Express.

“Trichomonosis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas gallinae. It is commonly transmitted through bird feeders and bird tables, resulting from the consumption of contaminated food and drink by infected birds,” the ornithological experts explain. They emphasize that garden birds acquire this devastating disease through infected parents feeding their young and by consuming contaminated drinking water or feed.

Are your garden birds appearing unwell? The British Trust for Ornithology strongly advises strict hygiene practices when feeding our feathered friends and maintaining the cleanliness of bird feeders or tables. You can contribute to the solution by reporting sickly birds in your vicinity.

[Byline: Rom Preston-Ellis]

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ProMED

[Trichomonas gallinae is a common protozoan parasite primarily affecting pigeons (Columbiformes), causing necrotic ingluvitis in the upper alimentary tract. Epidemic mortalities in columbiform species have been sporadically reported, and the parasite may also infect other avian taxa, including birds of prey and songbirds.

p style=”-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”>A clonal strain of T. gallinae was initially identified in Great Britain in 2005, leading to an emerging disease in passerine birds. This likely resulted from a spillover from sympatric columbids where passerines and pigeons feed together. Significant declines have been observed in the greenfinch population due to this disease.

p style=”-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”>Trichomoniasis, an avian disease, has been detected in greenfinches (since 2006) and chaffinches (since 2013) in Great Britain. Populations of these bird species have been severely affected by the disease.

p style=”-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”>Hanmer HJ, Cunningham AA, John SK, et al. Habitat-use influences severe disease-mediated population declines in two of the most common garden bird species in Great Britain. Sci Rep. 2022; 12,15055.

2024

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Trichomoniasis, avian – USA: (TX) dove

http://promedmail.org/post/20240417.8716010

2023

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Trichomoniasis, avian – USA: (CA) pigeon

http://promedmail.org/post/20230227.8708624

2022

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Trichomoniasis, avian – UK: songbird

http://promedmail.org/post/20220913.8705560

2019

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Trichomoniasis, avian – Isle of Man: pigeon

http://promedmail.org/post/20191120.67885992018

2018

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Trichomoniasis, avian – Canada: (NS) alert

http://promedmail.org/post/20180612.5852161

2017

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Trichomoniasis, avian – UK: (England) bird population declines

Trichomoniasis, avian – Canada: (Atlantic provinces) finch (20171226.5523091)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Canada (02): (NL) (20170728.5212417)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Canada (NL) garden bird, suspected (20161016.4563228)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Canada (NL) (20160816.4419571)

Trichomoniasis, avian – UK: (England) garden birds (20130912.1939358)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Australia (02): (QL) kite, fatal (20130904.1922635)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Australia (NT) kite, fatal (20130904.1922635)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Ireland: garden birds (20130611.1766704)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Germany: (BY) finch, suspected (20130207.1533305)

Trichomoniasis, avian – Europe: finch (20110925.2915)

Trichomoniasis, avian – UK: finch (20100825.2990)

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