Habitat-use influences severe disease-mediated population declines in two of the most common garden bird species in Great Britain

Abstract

The influence of supplementary feeding of wildlife on disease transmission and its consequent impacts on population dynamics are underappreciated. In Great Britain, supplementary feeding is hypothesised to have enabled the spread of the protozoan parasite, Trichomonas gallinae, from columbids to finches, leading to epidemic finch trichomonosis and a rapid population decline of greenfinch (Chloris chloris). More recently, chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), has also declined markedly from the second to fifth commonest bird in Britain. Using citizen science data, we show that both declines were driven primarily by reduced adult survival, with the greatest reductions occurring in peri-domestic habitats, where supplementary food provision is common. Post-mortem examinations showed a proportional increase in chaffinch trichomonosis cases, near-contemporaneous with its population decline. Like greenfinches, chaffinches often use supplementary food, but are less associated with human habitation. Our results support the hypothesis that supplementary feeding can increase parasite transmission frequency within and between common species. However, the dynamics behind resultant population change can vary markedly, highlighting the need for integrating disease surveillance with demographic monitoring. Other species susceptible to T. gallinae infection may also be at risk. Supplementary feeding guidelines for wildlife should include disease mitigation strategies to ensure that benefits to target species outweigh risks.

Birds are not the only ones impacted by guidance to cease bird feeding

“…Similarly, Salmonella outbreaks associated with irruptive influxes of Pine Siskins ( Spinus pinus ) congregating at feeders in winter have caused high mortality in this species, as well as non‐lethal Salmonella cases in people that feed birds (Hernandez et al., 2012). Two species of feeder birds in Great Britain, the European Greenfinch ( Chloris chloris ) and Common Chaffinch ( Fringilla coelebs ), declined due to a recently emergent disease that spreads at feeders, finch trichomoniasis, with disease impacts being especially marked in peri‐domestic habitats where bird feeding is common (Hanmer et al., 2022).…”

Nephrosis in an Aberdeen Angus calf with white muscle disease

“…Trichomonosis is most commonly associated with population declines in greenfinch ( Carduelis chloris ) and chaffinch ( Fringilla coelebs ) but is known to infect a range of other passerine species 4 . Sick birds may be at greater risk of predation with consequent spread of infection to sparrowhawks that use gardens as hunting grounds.…”