Trichomonas gallinae Kills Birds

Trichomonas gallinae, a protozoan parasite, is spreading in garden birds in England and Wales. Many birds are dying. Feeders and bird baths may be partly to blame.

The Guardian Unlimited (UK) reports that birds in England's Midlands and south-west, as well as Wales, are suffering an epidemic of a deadly parasitic infection. The parasite is Trichomonas gallinae, a single-celled protozoan related to Trichomonas vaginalis, the organism that causes human trichomoniasis. T. gallinae infests the oral cavity and crop of birds and in serious cases can spread to internal organs, particularly the liver and lungs. Some strains of the parasite are quite deadly, killing a high percentage of infected birds.

The birds that are dying in the UK are "garden birds"- finches and house sparrows. The parasite may in fact be spreading via bird feeders and bird baths, a fact that should prompt us to ponder our responsibilities as backyard birdwatchers. Could we be doing more harm than good at times? Watch for my upcoming article on Trichomonas gallinae, and how we can avoid spreading it to our garden birds.

You might also be interested in my article on Birding Ethics.

Read the article in the Guardian Unlimited