{"id":52576,"date":"2026-01-21T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/?p=52576"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:55:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:55:59","slug":"avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders\/","title":{"rendered":"Avian Influenza Outbreak: Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally published April 2022. Updated through January 2026 to reflect further developments in the outbreak.<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people are concerned about the outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, that began in 2022 and has affected domestic poultry, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, other species of birds, and some mammals in many parts of the world. Because the current strain (H5N1) causes heavy losses to poultry, it is referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans is rare<\/a>, according to Centers for Disease Control’s summary of current avian influenza testing and infection statistics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reports of Avian Flu in Birds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus affects a wide variety of wild birds, including hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, crows, vultures, shorebirds, game birds, seabirds, and especially waterfowl such as Canada Geese and Mallards (see list of species with HPAI detections<\/a>, below). The virus is shed in the saliva, mucus, and feces of infected birds and is transmitted to other birds via ingestion or inhalation. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of the duration of this outbreak, its recent spread to mammal species, and widespread mortalities in some types of wild birds, there has been concern about whether it’s safe for people to feed wild birds. In January 2025, March 2023, and April 2022, we checked in with Dr. Sarah Bevins and Dr. Julianna Lenoch, who lead the USDA APHIS National Wildlife Disease Program<\/a> to compile some key points regarding HPAI in songbirds and other feeder visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low Risk of Avian Flu to Songbirds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There has been widespread transmission of avian flu to wild bird species including waterfowl and raptors. However, there have been relatively few documented cases of HPAI in songbirds<\/a> and other typical feeder visitors to date, although this may change with increased testing or changes to the virus<\/span><\/span>. That means there is currently a low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds<\/strong>, and no official recommendation<\/a> to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry<\/strong>, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program. We do always recommend that you clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly<\/a> as a way to keep many kinds of diseases at bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also always recommend that you follow any recommendations put out by your state government, even in cases where that advice conflicts with ours. The CDC’s page on avian influenza in birds<\/a> compiles additional helpful information and resources, in English and Spanish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we know songbirds are at low risk?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n