Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu 'superspreader'. An expert explains - The Conversation

["Rob Geraghty via Canberrabirds " <>]

I agree with much of what you said. I suspect that the only ways to appeal to people are:

1. If they love birds, explain that gathering birds in one place will spread the disease. 

2. If they don't love birds, explain that outbreaks in chicken farms will lead to shortages and much higher prices for eggs and chicken meat. 

On Wed, 26 Aug 2026, 12:46 Philip Veerman, <> wrote:

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

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