Watch out for bird Conjunctivitis

Some people on the island have recently seen signs of bird conjunctivitis.

The birds may have red, swollen eyelids, mucous membrane on the eyeballs, and crusts on the edges of the eyelids. The eyes may become swollen shut, leading to blindness. The birds may be reluctant or unable to fly, leading to death.

You can help avoid conjunctivitis by routinely clean bird feeders and the areas where seeds drop. Be sure to clean any bird baths or other sources of water. And if you see an outbreak, remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.

Here’s a brochure by Cornell University with more information.