Yes, birds can cause lots of infections. We are having West Nile virus outbreak here at home this year in spite of the low mosquito population. (it comes from birds bitten by mosquitos which then bite humans).
Also upNorth, is an endemic problem with Blastomycosis which is a fungal disease in water and soil. When our cat Weezie was so ill this summer the Vet we went to happened to be the local liason with the CDC on this and gave us a pamphlet to give to our vet here at home. She turned out to not have this, luckily, but some people and and dogs have contracted it up there. One man died, and some dogs have lost eyes, etc. It causes pulmonary problems in humans who
inhale the spores.
Here is a link about a man in Florida who was finally correctly diagnosed with this:
http://www.dcmsonline.org/jax-medici...casereport.htm
While it is uncommon still, it does happen.
This is a story about the Vet we saw and his involvement with Blasto:
http://www.stignacenews.com/news/201...areness_o.html
As far as being rare? The golden retriever at the marina we use to get to our island, lost an eye to this disease several years ago. Dr. Groover saved his life, in fact. So we are reminded of this risk every summer when we see this dog Thor.
Most of the pulmonary infections from fungi come from inhaling dust or spores.
In Arizona and Calif there is valley fever.
And in the midwest here we have histoplasmosis from bird droppings.