Monitoring wild greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) for Salmonella enterica typhimurium

The identification and monitoring of emerging infectious diseases in free living wild birds is a challenge to wildlife biologists. In this study, a non-invasive methodology for identifying salmonellosis in wild garden birds was developed. We focussed on greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, which were found to have a seasonal pattern in the occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium DT 56(v). Principal components analysis of biometric data indicated that low fat and low weight could be useful indicators of Salmonella positive greenfinch. A combination of biometrics taken from live birds, faecal analysis, and behavioural observations provide an effective and efficient system for identifying the presence of salmonellosis within greenfinch.