Does the use of tube-feeders contribute to the spread of House Finch eye disease and other diseases?

The House Finch eye disease, as well as some other diseases, can spread when healthy birds come in contact with an infected bird or an object touched by an infected bird. Some tube feeders require birds to stick their heads into holes in order to extract seeds. When the eyes of an infected bird come in contact with the opening, the next bird to feed at that perch may pick up the infection. For this reason, feeders should be cleaned every two weeks with a diluted bleach solution or in a dish washer with water hot enough to kill bacteria.

If you notice diseased birds at your feeders, we recommend that you take your feeders in for a couple of weeks to encourage the birds to disperse. For more information on bird diseases, see our diseased birds page.