Meeting Abstract
Congregation of individuals at high densities is known to increase disease transmission and bird-feeding activities are specifically aimed at attracting many birds to a single location. We surveyed nine potential host bird species for evidence of infection by each Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Avipoxvirus, or avian pox. We also examined differences in pathogen exposure at sites with bird feeders and sites without bird feeders. Finally, we compared prevalence of birds with antibodies against MG and avian pox to those that showed physical signs of infection. To test for pathogen exposure, we used indirect ELISA. We found species-specific disease dynamics, as House Finches had a significantly greater likelihood of having antibodies against MG than any other species. Birds at sites with feeders were more likely to have antibodies against MG. Birds at sites with feeders were no more likely to have antibodies against avian pox than birds at sites without feeders and species varied greatly in seroprevalence of antibodies against avian pox. Overall, our findings suggest differential exposure and immune responses to each pathogen among species and that feeders increase the exposure of individuals to MG but not to avian pox, offering valuable new insights into the role of bird feeding activities in disease transmission among birds.
