Winter 2007 - 2008

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Jackson, Kalkaska, Muskegon, Oakland and Otsego counties during the winter of 2007-2008.  American Goldfinch, Common Redpolls, House Sparrows and Pine Siskins were the only affected species.  All four species exhibited lesions in their esophagus and/or crop which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 2006 - 2007

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Allegan, Bay, Livingston, Macomb, Missuakee, Montmorency, and Oakland counties during the winter of 2006-2007.  American Goldfinch, House Sparrows,  Pine Siskins were the only affected species.  All three species exhibited lesions in their esophagus and/or crop which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 2005 - 2006

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Alger, Antrim, Baraga, Bay, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gladwin, Houghton, Lake, Leelanau, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Roscommon, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee and Wayne counties.  Species of birds affected were American Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, House Sparrow, Mourrning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Pine Grosbeak and Pine Siskin.  All of the examined birds exhibited lesions in the esophagus and/or crop, and in some cases in the spleen, ceca, and brain, which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 2004 - 2005

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Macomb, Shiawassee, and Wayne counties during the winter of 2004-2005.  The House Sparrow and Northern Cardinal were the only affected species.  Both species exhibited lesions in their esophagus and/or crop which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 2003 - 2004

Salmonellosis was not diagnosed in the state during the winter of 2003-2004.

Winter 2002 - 2003

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Oakland and Otsego counties during the winter of 2002-2003. The Common Redpoll and House Sparrow were the only affected species. Both species exhibited lesions in their esophagus and/or crop which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 2001 - 2002

Salmonellosis was diagnosed or reported in Alcona, Allegan, Baraga, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clinton, Emmet, Kent, Lapeer, Lake, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego,   Roscommon,  Saginaw, Sanilac, Washtenaw, and Wexford counties. Species of birds affected were the American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pine Siskin and White-winged Crossbill. Some reports did not specify the species involved. All of the examined birds exhibited lesions in the esophagus and/or crop, and in some cases in the spleen and ceca, which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 2000 - 2001

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Kalamazoo and Wayne counties during the winter of 2000-2001. The House Sparrow was the only affected species and all birds examined exhibited lesions in their esophagus and/or crop, and in some cases in their spleen, which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 1999 - 2000

 Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Alger, Baraga, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Houghton, Iron, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Luce, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Otsego, and Schoolcraft counties. The American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, and Purple Finch were the affected species. All birds examined exhibited lesions in their esophagus and/or crop, and in some cases in their spleen and ceca, which were diagnostic for Salmonellosis.

Winter 1998 - 1999

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in Bay, Benzie, Cass, Cheboygan, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Mackinac, Mason, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, and Wexford counties. The American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and Pine Grosbeak were the affected species.

The disease was confirmed or suspected in 15 states with the American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, and Pine Siskin being affected. There are a few other species of birds that have been affected but nearly all the reports were of these three species.

Procedures to Prevent Salmonellosis:

If you have birds dying at your feeders, there are a couple of measures you can adopt to stop the die-off. The first option is to stop feeding birds. Salmonellosis is a disease spread by contamination of food and/or water by sick birds and if the birds are no longer concentrated at a food or water source they are much less likely to become infected.

Another option is the regular disinfection of the feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution; and then rinsing them thoroughly with water. Disinfection should occur on a weekly basis. You should also remove any spilled food from beneath feeders because this area also serves as an area for transmission of Salmonellosis to occur. If sick birds are observed at any time they should be caught and removed from the area. They may be submitted to a DNR field office for transport to the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory for examination and diagnosis.

If you have observed mortality in these or other bird species you can report your observations on-line at http://www.michigandnr.com/diseasedwildlifereporting/disease_obsreport.asp or call 517-336-5030 to speak with someone.

Thank you,

Tom Cooley, Wildlife Biologist