Scientists still don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 causing a 鈥�bird mortality event鈥� in the D.C. area as well as seven other states, but they know a few things that aren鈥檛.
In a joint statement, agencies from D.C. and at least nine states said that no definitive cause for the deaths of the birds has been found yet. The good news is, there haven鈥檛 been any reports of people or pets getting sick from the birds.
They have eliminated a few possible causes, though, including salmonella; avian influenza; West Nile virus; Newcastle disease viruses; other paramyxoviruses, herpesviruses and poxviruses; and Trichomonas parasites.
Whatever it is, it鈥檚 been killing fledgling common grackles, blue jays, European starlings, American robins and other species of songbirds in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky since late May, the statement said. More recently, reports have been coming in from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The birds have been turning up with eye swelling and crusty discharge.
Birds don鈥檛 really do social distancing, so the wildlife agencies from all the affected states say you should stop feeding birds until the deaths subside.
Other tips:
- Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach mixed with nine parts water), rinse with water, and allow to air dry;
- Avoid handling birds unless necessary. If you do handle them, wear disposable gloves. If picking up a dead bird, place an inverted plastic bag over your hand to avoid direct contact with the bird; and
- Keep pets (including pet birds) away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution.
If you see a bird with the sort of symptoms mentioned above, you should contact City Wildlife if you鈥檙e in D.C. at 202-882-1000 or at聽info@citywildlife.org.
If you are in Virginia,聽.
If you鈥檙e in Maryland, you should get in touch with your local wildlife rehabilitator. You can find out who that is by calling the Department of Natural Resources in Maryland at 877-463-6497 or going to.
草莓传媒鈥檚 Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
