DNR asking people to report sickly birds after problems seen across eastern US
Be on the lookout for sickly looking birds.
That’s the message of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after seeing signs of illnesses that have affected birds in the eastern United States since May.
That month, wildlife managers in Washington, D.C, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge. The DNR has received “a few scattered” reports of birds with swollen, crusty eyes. The illness affecting birds in the East has not yet been identified by scientists or linked to observed bird mortalities in Wisconsin that have occurred since June.
“Several wildlife laboratories, including the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, are working to identify the cause or causes of these cases,” said Wisconsin DNR wildlife veterinarian Lindsey Long in a news release. “As part of our continued monitoring of wildlife health, we ask Wisconsinites to report birds with swollen or scabbing eyes so that we may investigate further.”
Infected birds may also experience seizures and lack of coordination in their movement. The DNR encourages people to follow best practices for bird feeder and bird bath hygiene – disinfect them with soap and water, followed by a rinse in 10% bleach solution.
It is unknown if the illness is being transmitted from bird to bird.
Juvenile or fledgling blue jays, common grackles, European starlings and American robins have been the species predominantly associated with mysterious illness.
The DNR strongly encourages people who spot a sick bird to contact either a conservation biologist or wildlife biologist.