Feeding birds responsibly by first keeping backyard bird feeders clean goes a long way in preventing illnesses such as salmonellosis in feeder birds, a central Illinois biology professor said. Anthony “Tony” Rothering, professor of biology, mathematics and sciences at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, is aware of a recent salmonellosis outbreak in common feeder birds such as pine siskins (songbirds) on which Wild Bird Feeding Institute research consultant Jenna McCullough has reported on in a recent blog. Salmonellosis is an infection that’s caused by the salmonella bacteria. A salmonella (food poisoning) outbreak “occurred in several parts of the United States in winter and spring 2021,” Cool Green Science said on its website. Salmonella can spread through concentrations of birds at feeders, Cool Green Science said. Symptoms of salmonellosis in birds include sunken or closed eyes, fluffed up feathers and “unexpectedly lethargic behavior compared to other birds,” McCullough said …