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Gardeners Warned: Bird Tables Pose Lethal Disease Risks
11 Oct
Summary
- RSPB suspends sale of bird tables and related products
- Greenfinch population dropped 69% from 2008-2018 due to parasitic disease
- Experts advise against using flat feeders to prevent disease transmission
As of October 11th, 2025, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has taken a precautionary measure by suspending the sale of all bird tables and related products from its online shop. This decision comes amid growing concerns that these flat feeding surfaces may be contributing to the spread of deadly diseases, particularly among finch species.
The charity's move follows a concerning trend observed over the past decade. Between 2008 and 2018, the population of greenfinches has plummeted by 69%, leading to the bird's addition to the red list in 2021. Experts attribute this dramatic decline to the impact of a parasitic disease called trichomonosis, which can be easily transmitted when infected birds drop food onto flat surfaces that other birds then consume.
In addition to the risk of trichomonosis, specialists warn that the accumulation of bacteria from rotting food and seed husks on bird tables can also lead to the spread of Salmonella, which can be fatal to garden birds. To mitigate these health risks, gardeners are advised to either thoroughly clean their bird tables and feeders on a regular basis or consider alternative feeding methods, such as scattering food on larger, rotated areas.
