That depends on your ability to negotiate and your neighbour’s ability to accept information and your access to this person. I would start by forwarding
this webpage to your neighbour. Even though the situation is very concerning, I suggest some of the connections made in this article do sort of overstate the case. In terms of convincing people, I suggest that in Canberra we don’t need to worry about infecting
Orange-belied Parrots or fur seals. So, make information relevant to the person. Bird feeding could well be a superspreader (locally) but it is far from the only thing. It seems that the most effected species here so far, are Crested Terns, Giant Petrel and
Skuas. These are hardly likely to have become infected by people feeding them.
The article contains the sentence.
This
deadly strain of bird flu has already decimated wild bird and mammal populations worldwide. What does that mean?
Do we know of species worldwide that have been reduced to 90% of their population? “Decimate” means to eliminate (kill) 10% of the population. This (10% loss) is normally a trivial event in natural populations (compared to predation or starvation), unless
it is done repeatedly or in quick succession (as in too quick for breeding to compensate for the loss). . There is a nauseous modernism to use the word “decimate” as a meaningless substitute for devastate or mass mortality.
Philip.
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of Rob Geraghty via Canberrabirds
Sent: Wednesday, 26 August, 2026 12:09 PM
To: 'David McDonald (Personal)' <>
Cc: Canberra Birds <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu 'superspreader'. An expert explains - The Conversation
How do I convince my neighbour to stop feeding birds?
L
Bird flu aside, it is increasing the transmission of beak and feather disease amongst the parrots.
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of David McDonald (Personal) via Canberrabirds
Sent: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 11:54 AM
To: Canberrabirds list <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu 'superspreader'. An expert explains - The Conversation
Hi. I found an article that you might like: "Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu ‘superspreader’. An expert explains" —
https://theconversation.com/backyard-bird-feeding-could-be-a-bird-flu-superspreader-an-expert-explains-290317
