Recent uptick in bird deaths linked to salmonella from bird feeders, N.C. officials say Multiple birds found sick or dead By WECT Staff | March 9, 2021 at 2:59 PM EST - Updated March 9 at 7:29 PM RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) - Officials at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission say theyâve received âa concerning numberâ of reports over the last few weeks of dead birds, including goldfinches and pine siskins, found in yards across the state. After an examination of the dead animals, state biologists say preliminary results point to salmonellosis, a common bacterial disease often fatal in songbirds that frequent bird feeders.