Birds that come to bird feeders may relish a treat of dried pumpkin seeds. It means, of course, that you'll have to clean them out of the shell and bake for an hour or so at about 250 degrees. When they're ready, just put them out on a platform feeder and watch what happens.

Pumpkin Seeds are very healthy. They contain less then 4 carbs per ounce. Please read the information on the page entitled "Medical and Cooking Facts". There is a description of the healthy properties pumpkin seeds contain.

Yes. The standard recommendation for ensuring that any wild game is safely cooked is to cook all types of meat thoroughly to at least 155-165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease organisms, parasites and viruses such as avian flu. It's not uncommon to see dead ducks or geese while in the field. Do not assume that any form of bird flu killed the ducks or geese, because these birds can die from many other causes.

Yes! It is still safe to hunt and eat game. However, hunters are always encouraged to wear gloves when skinning and preparing any game meat (this includes birds and mammals) and to cook meat thoroughly before serving it.

The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens considers that the risk of transmission of AI from wild birds to the general public is small. However, to minimise any risk it is advisable to carry out general hygiene precautions when handling wild birds, such as wearing disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling carcases and washing hands, nails and forearms thoroughly with soap and water after handling the carcase.

Sunflower seeds are high in energy and provide many of the nutrients that most birds need and prefer. Studies indicate that most seed eating bird species prefer sunflower to other common types of seed. Because of the high interest in bird feeding, we added a section to our web site to help answer this question and others. Check it out!

No human has caught bird flu from wild birds. Still, state Fish and Game officials recommend the following safety precautions when hunting birds: Clean surfaces and tools with hot, soapy water. Disinfect both with a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution. To kill viruses and bacteria in meat, cook it thoroughly, to an internal temperature of 155 to 165 degrees.

To be safe, it is best to cook any wild plants or fish that have been in water frequented by wild or domestic birds before eating the plants or fish. Remember that the H5N1 virus has never yet been detected anywhere in North America. If you were to handle a raw, infected bird there is a chance you could accidentally infect yourself by touching your mouth, eyes, etc. with contaminated fingers. Washing with soap and water or commercially available hand cleaners will kill the virus.

Please report these without delay so that we can discuss with you and provide advice on the next steps.

While the high pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain of avian flu is presently not a threat to the U.S. public, DU encourages people to follow the standard precautions offered for protecting themselves against wildlife related diseases when handling harvested animals. According to the National Wildlife Health Center, "Persons handling wild birds should follow routine hand washing and safe food preparation practices.

While currently there are unconfirmed reports of people being infected with H5N1 from dead wild birds, exposure to domestic and wild birds potentially infected with H5N1 should be avoided. The only documented cases of transmission to humans are from poultry; these cases include both highly pathogenic and low pathogenic strains of avian influenza. the present time, close contact with infected domestic poultry has been the primary way that people have become infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus.

Some experts say that white pumpkins make the best tasting Pumpkin Pie. Visit the Vala Sisters’ recipe section for more information on using fresh pumpkin in regular recipes and toasting your own pumpkin seeds.

While there are powers under the Animal Health Act 1981 which allow us to kill wild birds, there is no intention to use these powers at present. The control of avian influenza infection in wild bird populations is not feasible - from a logistical, environmental and biodiversity point of view. Indiscriminate culling of wild migratory bird populations would be ineffective in preventing further spread of avian influenza and their hunting would likely cause dispersion of the birds.

Most avian influenza viruses have been isolated from wild waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and shorebirds (wading birds), gulls, and terns. With rare exceptions, the thousands of flu isolates found in wild birds have been low pathogenic avian influenza and have rarely caused signs of illness. The occurrence of avian influenza in wild ducks in North America reaches its height in late summer and early fall. At other times of the year, infection rates are usually less than 1 percent.

The H5N1 HPAI virus is not present in the United States at this time. Therefore, wild birds, including Canada Geese, turkeys, and song birds, pose little risk to you or your pets. Keeping cats and dogs indoors, unless being walked on a leash or otherwise confined, is best for their safety, regardless of risk of infection with the virus. Cats and dogs allowed to roam outdoors are exposed to many dangers, including automobile injuries, animal bites, poisoning, and other infectious diseases.

No one may have in his/her possession any native wild species of bird without special federal and state permits. No one may tamper with or destroy any occupied nest of a native wild species. Such a nest may be destroyed only when not in use after the breeding season. No one may kill any native species except a properly licensed hunter during an authorized hunting season.

The RSPCA (England and Wales), SSPCA (Scotland) and USPCA (Northern Ireland) are the national charities that help and advise on sick and injured birds and animals. The RSPB does not run bird hospitals or a rescue service.

According to the World Health Organization, the avian flu in wild and/or domestic birds has spread from Southeast Asia to South Asia and Pacific countries, to Africa and the Near East and to several countries in Europe. Forty-three countries have reported infected birds as of April 19, 2006.

LPAI in wild birds is usually not detected since signs are mild. Signs may include or respiratory distress, intestinal distress and lethargy. For information on AI in Maryland poultry and humans, please consult the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) (www.mda.state.md.us) and the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DHMH) - (www.dhmh.state.md.us and www.edcp.org).

Yes. The current strain has caused deaths in a number of wild bird species, mostly waterbirds. Most of these flock or nest in colonies on waterbodies or nearby farmland. Others are birds that often feed and scavenge in polluted waterways near towns and farms. Yet others are scavenging species that are likely to forage around poultry farms, such as crows and magpies.

Use of infected poultry manure as fertiliser in agriculture and agriculture, and as feed in fish-farms and pig farms Most outbreaks in south-east Asia can be linked to movements of poultry and poultry products (or infected material from poultry farms, such as mud on vehicles, or peoples' shoes).

If the avian influenza virus (H5N1) is present in a wild bird, it may be possible for a human to get the disease. However, there have been no known cases of humans getting avian influenza from wild birds. As of January 2006, avian influenza has not been identified in any wild or domestic bird in the United States. The following websites provide guidelines for hunters and others who may come in contact with wild birds:

Birds have a high metabolic rate and an average body temperature of 100 degrees (F). They need to eat constantly to store up energy for the winter months and to burn off excess heat during the summer months. Birds will eat their own body weight daily.

Tube wild bird feeders are very popular with most backyard wild birds. They provide some of the most productive bird watching hours. Goldfinches will use thistle seed feeders. Most backyard songbirds will be happy to use your standard tube bird feeders that are filled with sunflowers or seed mixes. They come in a great variety of styles and prices.