Unfortunately there is no practical treatment for wild birds. Though medicines do exist for captive birds infected with the parasite, there’s no way to ensure a wild bird receives a suitable dose. Providing the medicine in an uncontrolled way (i.e. in a garden) would also likely create the conditions for a resistant strain of the parasite to evolve and develop, with disastrous consequences for wild bird populations.

If you see a bird in your garden that is likely infected with trichomoniasis, the best thing to do is to remove all feeders and water dishes. They should be cleaned thoroughly with a suitable disinfectant or mild bleach solution (5-10% solution), rinsed and allowed to air dry. The consensus amongst bird conservation experts is that it’s best to then stop feeding or providing water in your garden for two to three weeks. This allows the birds that normally congregate in your garden to disperse more widely in the countryside and means they are less likely to encounter a sick bird. If you keep feeding, you’re attracting the sick bird, other infected birds not yet showing symptoms, and healthy birds, into close proximity, and this will undoubtedly cause the rest of the flock to become infected.

We realise it may seem counterproductive to stop feeding your garden birds completely, but while removing feeders and water may have a temporary and minor negative effect, the birds will die if they contract trichomoniasis, so the further spread of the infection should be avoided at all costs.

After the two weeks are up, gradually reintroduce your feeders one at at time every few days, keeping an eye out for any more sick birds. It’s best to avoid putting out water for another few weeks.