Deadly new virus is silencing songbirds

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The virus - passed on in birds' saliva - causes their throats to swell to the extent that, unable to eat, they starve to death.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says it is receiving 17 times more reports of cases of avian trichomoniasis than two years ago.

Greenfinches have been the most affected, but the virus has also been spotted in chaffinches, goldfinches, bullfinches, house sparrows, blackbirds, yellowhammers and siskins.

The sound of silence: Greenfinches have been the most affected

Scientists from the Zoological Society of London are carrying out urgent tests on how to combat the spread of the disease, which poses no threat to humans or other animals.

Bird-lovers are advised to disinfect tables or stop putting out food if they see dead birds nearby, and email the RSPB at wildlife@rspb.org.uk.

The virus is a further blow to wild bird numbers in Britain's gardens, which have declined by roughly 50 per cent over the past ten years.