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TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Spring is here and the Tyler Audubon Society said that migrating birds aren’t a concern for the current bird flu strain.

KETK spoke with the president of the Tyler Audubon Society, Laura Wilson, on Friday to discuss spring bird migrations and the bird flu. The Tyler Audubon Society is a group dedicated to preserving the habitats of local birds and wildlife.

Wilson said that currently the bird flu being reported across the country is only infecting birds raised in poultry farms like chickens. She added that cleaning bird feeders is a good idea no matter what.

“You want to make sure that you use bird friendly stuff,” Wilson said. “Dawn dishwasher soap is probably just as good. If you want to use something a little bit stronger to make sure that you’re getting rid of any pathogens that are out there, 10% bleach. And then just make sure that you rinse it really, really well afterwards.”

Anyone handling a bird feeder is also reminded to wash their hands afterwards because birds can carry diseases like all wild animals.

The Tyler Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, which was named for the early French-American ornithologist and artist, John James Audubon. To learn more about their work, visit the Tyler Audubon Society online.