Households are being urged to act now to help curb the spread of an avian illness that seems to disproportionately affect this quintessential British bird, which remains in the UK over winter and is often spotted on bird tables, along with doves and pigeons.
The disease, Trichomonosis (Trichomonas gallinae), is a parasitic infection that targets a bird's digestive system, particularly impacting finches, doves and pigeons, although any bird can contract the infection.
So far, there's no known link between feeders and bird flu – thankfully – as bird flu doesn't appear to affect songbird populations.
Annabel Sharpe, Arbtech's resident bird aficionado, remarked: "Trichomonosis has had a devastating impact on bird populations over the last two decades, and it remains a significant problem today.".
Ecologists at Arbtech have sounded the alarm for UK households, reporting that bird populations, especially finches, are plummeting due to a burgeoning new disease.
