Do Baby Birds Carry Diseases?

If you’ve ever come across a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest, you may have wondered if it’s safe to handle it. Baby birds definitely tug at our heartstrings, but before you rescue that feathered fledgling, it’s important to consider the potential health risks.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Baby birds can carry diseases, but the risk of transmission to humans is generally low when proper precautions are taken.

In this detailed article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about disease risks from baby birds, what precautions you should take, which diseases to watch out for, and how to safely rescue baby birds you find.

Assessing the Risks of Disease Transmission

Low Overall Risk to Humans

While baby birds like nestlings or fledglings can carry diseases, the overall risk of disease transmission from them to people is generally low (1). As the CDC reports, most viruses and bacteria carried by wild birds do not affect humans (2).

Salmonella and Campylobacter are some of the more common infectious bacteria carried by young fowl. But direct transmission of these from bird to human is uncommon.

Bird mites and lice also rarely bite humans. And when they do, the bites may simply cause temporary skin irritation.

So for most healthy people, incidental contact with baby birds poses minimal risks.

Higher Risk for Vulnerable Groups

Some groups of people though may face higher risks from baby birds carrying disease (1):

Those with weakened immune systems like people living with cancer or HIV.

Very young children whose immune response is still developing.

The elderly, especially those with immunosenescence.

For them, even mild conditions like salmonellosis can become severe and require hospitalization. So added care should be taken to avoid bird-to-human disease transmission.

Protecting Yourself and the Birds

Still, when caring for bird hatchlings, some general precautions can help prevent zoonotic diseases (3):

Wash hands thoroughly after handling birds or cleaning their nest/cage.

Wear protective items like gloves, masks, and eye-gear when close to nests.

Separate bird care areas in the home from living spaces.

Get birds veterinary care if signs of illness emerge.

Do not abandon sick baby birds. Instead, contact wildlife rehabilitators for help.

Taking sensible measures allows us to safely nurture baby birds while also guarding individual and public health.

Diseases to Be Aware Of

Salmonella

Salmonella is one of the most common diseases transmitted from baby birds to humans. These bacterial organisms are found in the droppings and bodies of infected birds and can cause salmonellosis when ingested.

According to the CDC, over 40,000 cases of salmonellosis from contact with pet birds are reported each year. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after infection.

To prevent infection, it is important to wash hands after touching birds or items in their environment.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a viral respiratory disease that can spread from birds to humans. According to the WHO, there have been over 850 confirmed human cases and 454 deaths from recent avian influenza outbreaks globally.

While human cases are still rare, some strains like H5N1 have mortality rates exceeding 50%. Preventative measures include avoiding direct contact with wild birds and their droppings. Using masks and gloves when handling domestic birds can also reduce risk of transmission.

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can infect and cause illness in humans as well as birds. According to the CDC, over 51,000 human cases and 2,366 deaths have been reported in the United States since the virus was first detected in 1999.

While West Nile cannot be directly transmitted from birds, infected birds help spread the disease by increasing the mosquito population. Protective measures like using insect repellent and avoiding the outdoors from dusk to dawn can lower risk.

Other Bird-Related Diseases

Some other diseases that can be acquired from birds include:

• Psittacosis – A bacterial disease that causes fever, chills, and respiratory issues
• Toxoplasmosis – A parasitic disease that often shows no symptoms but can cause vision loss or brain and organ damage if the infection spreads
• Chlamydophila – A bacterial disease that results in atypical pneumonia and respiratory infections

Being aware and taking precautions around baby birds are vital to prevent transmission of these harmful diseases to humans. Proper hand hygiene like washing hands or using alcohol-based sanitizers after contact can greatly reduce infection risk.

It is also wise to avoid touching sick or dead birds with bare hands.

Safely Rescuing Baby Birds

When to Intervene

Spotting a baby bird on the ground often triggers an instinct to help. However, it’s best not to intervene in most cases. Fledgling birds are learning to fly and it’s normal for them to hop on the ground while they build flight strength and confidence. The parents are likely nearby watching over them.

Only if the bird is injured, in immediate danger, or has been separated from the parents for over an hour is human intervention warranted.

Signs that a baby bird needs help include: visible injuries like blood or broken bones, shivering, weakness or inability to flap wings, direct attacks from cats/dogs or other predators, location in the middle of a busy road or other hazardous area, no parents returning after prolonged monitoring.

Use good judgment – if the area is relatively safe and the bird is active with no apparent injuries, give the parents a chance to take over.

How to Handle Safely

When assisting baby birds, exercise caution to reduce risk of zoonotic disease transmission. About 60-80% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can spread between animals and people. Common examples include salmonella, avian influenza, and psittacosis.

Here are some tips for safe handling:

• Do not make direct contact if possible. Use towels, blankets, or even cardboard to scoop up the bird.
• Wear protective gloves and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
• Avoid touching your face or mucous membranes while handling.
• Use gentle, minimizing handling. Wild birds are easily stressed.
• House rescued birds in well-ventilated containers or carriers, not air-tight boxes.
• Do not keep them as pets or feed them food items.

Taking these precautions greatly reduces the likelihood of disease transmission when assisting baby birds.

Working With Wildlife Rehabilitators

The best option for helping most baby birds is to work with professional wildlife rehabilitators. Rehabilitators have training in species-specific care and access to proper diet, housing, and medical attention to give birds their best chance.

When resources allow, they aim to raise birds for successful release back to the wild.

Veterinarians may also have partnerships with rehab centers and can provide referrals. Humane societies might also have contacts. Online directories like The Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators provide network search tools to find local options.

Transport birds in covered, ventilated carriers. Handle as little as possible and keep in a quiet, dark, warm space when awaiting transfer. Do not give food/water without rehabilitator guidance, as improper nutrition can further harm birds.

With quick, careful action to connect birds with the experts, caring members of the public can make all the difference in giving young birds a second chance.

Conclusion

In most cases, the risk of disease transmission from handling baby birds is low, especially when proper precautions are taken. But some groups like young children and people with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk.

Being aware of potential diseases, wearing gloves, and contacting wildlife rehabilitators can help everyone stay healthy while still helping precious baby birds in need.