To feed or not to feed? Lately, it appears that the practice of feeding birds in your backyard may be a problem — at least in recent weeks. Bird feeders and birdbaths have been popular items in backyards for many years, but there may be some problems emerging over the practice.

As a photographer and wildlife artist, I too enjoy seeing the many species of birds, many of which have appeared in my paintings, but this past year I stopped feeding the birds — and for good reason. It turns out my feeders were also attracting some of the bears that frequent our neighborhood, and after having a couple destroyed, I thought I would quit for a while.

I have had others tell me they have had the same problem, but this piece is not about the problem with bears getting into your feeders but rather another situation that has recently come up regarding our backyard birds. The problem arose when some of our backyard birds began showing up with some kind of disease. The birds are being tested for several toxins, parasites, bacterial diseases, and viral infections. Scientists and state officials (The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently advised against the use of bird feeders) advise against using bird feeders and birdbaths, which tend to congregate the birds and thus may spread the unknown disease. The condition has shown up in Pennsylvania as well as nine other states. One report said 70 cases were being looked into, with some coming from right here in the central part of the state and a good number from the southeastern part of the state.

Affected birds appear weak, have labored breathing, and may sit for prolonged periods with fluffed feathers. Birds may also have crusting around the eyes, eye lesions, and/or neurological problems that may cause tremors and falling. Birds that have been found dead of the illness include blue jays, European starlings, common grackles, robins, northern cardinals, house finches, house sparrows, eastern bluebirds, and red-bellied woodpeckers, as well as some other species.

Exactly what is causing the condition is still unknown, but several people involved, including some wildlife rehab personnel, have suggested a possible link between the disease and the recent return of the return of the 17-year cicadas known as Brood X. One ornithologist suggested that the birds could be eating cicadas tainted by pesticides or insecticides or possibly being sickened by a fungus that attacks cicadas.

Apparently, the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania has stated it will stop selling birds feeders and food until there is more information about what caused the disease. It’s been advised that you wear disposable gloves if you handle a dead bird and to keep your pets away from dead birds. They also recommend the dead birds be disposed of in a plastic bag and discarded with household trash.

I began hearing of the situation a couple of weeks ago, so I paid closer attention to what I was seeing around my own neighborhood. So far, I can’t say that I’ve noticed anything unusual. In the past week, I have witnessed several cardinals, lots of robins, house finches, bluebirds, and a number of other species, and all seemed normal. In the meantime, I plan to keep an eye out for additional information, and hopefully, the problem can be resolved quickly.