City Wildlife has recently seen a significant influx of young birds, mostly Common Grackles, European Starlings, and Blue Jays, with eye issues leading to blindness and neurological problems affecting the birds’ balance and coordination. Other regional agencies are reporting the same, as well as many dead fledglings.
City Wildlife and other agencies in surrounding states have submitted samples to appropriate pathology laboratories and are awaiting results of those tests. As the first and only Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for the District of Columbia, we take this matter very seriously and, in coordination with other governmental and wildlife rehabilitation centers, are making every effort to mount an effective response to this avian emergency.
City Wildlife (15 Oglethorpe Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, 202-882-1000) is open to receive sick birds found in the District of Columbia every day between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. We can be reached at 202-882-1000. Alternatively and between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., please call Humane Rescue Alliance at 202-723-5730, ext. 2.
Reporting dead birds on private property:
You should dispose of birds found on private property with appropriate precautions. Use gloves or other hand covering to avoid direct contact, place the dead bird in a plastic waste bag, then dispose of it in a garbage receptacle outside of the home. Be sure to wash hands thoroughly after any contact with affected birds. Dead birds in any area can be reported to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
Reporting dead birds on public property:
Please report deceased birds as above. Dead birds found in public spaces — such as streets, parks, sidewalks, and alleys — can be disposed of by the District of Columbia Department of Public Works. Call them at 311 (202-737-4404 outside the 202 area code) and selecting menu option 5 for “city services” to reach an operator. You may also report online by visiting 311.dc.gov.
For more information, see the statement released by the US Geological Survey.
BlueRidge Wildlife Center in Boyce seeing the same issues
Looks like Coryza to me, I raise chickens n have had this issue before. It affects both domesticated n wild birds and is very contagious. It can be treated with antibiotics but that would be nearly impossible in the wild, it will just have to run it’s course.
Found a recently deceased very large young bird at my home in Forestville MD today. This is the 3rd bird, along with 1 squirrel. I have pictures,as well as the bird if needed for study. Please contact me for photos.
On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, we found a large gray dead bird in the back yard, located in Northwest Washington. We first saw the bird on the lawn. He was alive and did not move. We left and expected the bird to fly way, but upon our return, we discovered that he had died.
A number of people are reporting blind and dying Blue Jays in Cincinnati Ohio in Nextdoor as well.
Cincinnati has had a pretty significant emergence of Beood X cicadas recently as well.
So pesticides could be a cause.
Has anybody conducted research into the cicada fungus being talked about this year.
I shared the original post w/ colleagues and am now getting questions about any updates, i.e., further info re suspected or confirmed causation? Thanks, Stuart Miles-McLean
I posted a comment and asked about info, then searched and found this just released today:
Interagency Statement: USGS and Partners Investigating DC Area Bird Mortality Event at https://www.usgs.gov/news/interagency-statement-usgs-and-partners-investigating-dc-area-bird-mortality-event
We have sent samples to the US Geological Service’s National Wildlife Health Center lab in Wisconsin and are awaiting the results. We will let everyone know what we learn as soon as the findings are in.
Today is 6/14/2021. I live in Laurel, MD and just found a dead bird in my back patio. Not sure if it is a fledgling or not. Looks like a small female downy woodpecker. I just replenished my bird feeder today. It had been empty for a few days…don’t know if that has anything to do with this or not.
Best to leave birdfeeders and bird baths empty until this avian epidemic is over, or at least better understood.
I have had 4 dead baby birds (no feathers yet) found in my yard over the last month or so. I have been wondering what the heck is going on! Silver Spring, MD. The last one was a blue jay baby that was stolen from the nest by a crow, dropped, and retrieved again by the crow.
We have not seen any sick birds here yet but virtually ALL gray squirrels in our immediate area have disappeared within the last 2-3 weeks. Have removed all watering stations. Noticed in increase in the number of injured squirrels a few weeks back before they all disappeared, perhaps they were ill and more susceptible to predation? Had one injured adult squirrel in for care, who did not respond to treatment (wound care, hydration, AB, pain med) and rapidly passed within 24 hours. This squirrel had none of the eyes issues you have seen with sick birds.
Found a dying baby blue jay with eyes crusted over and unable to fly just this afternoon in my backyard upon returning home. A few days ago, found a dead featherless baby bird in my backyard as well. I live in Louisville, KY near Cherokee Park, a heavily wooded area.
Louisville is only 3 hours away from us. No more bird feeder fillings. We’ll have to start watching for this awful disease. Thanks for the warning.
Found the second young grackle in our yard today, suffering from this disease. (Silver Spring MD) The first had died when I found it. This one isn’t dead yet. I don’t know what to do – it’s trembling and cannot see (I assume) or move. Assume I should dispatch it. Does City Wildlife want more young birds with this disease in its facility? (Love you guys BTW!)
Hi, Claire,
For live birds in Montgomery County we would think that you can call animal control at 301-279-8000. If they do not come out for such things, they woulod be able to tell you the appropriate steps.
I found a juvenile chipping sparrow on the ground in my back yard YESTERDAY with crusted over eyes. I bent down to get a closer look, resting my arm on the ground, and it hopped onto my sleeve. A few moments later it flew, rather haphazardly, toward a neighbor’s tree.
It broke my heart to know this bird would die, but also alarmed me that the mysterious illness was so close and still ongoing. I removed, disinfected, and will store my bird feeders until this crisis has passed.
Dead birds are showing up in Hagerstown, Md. I’ve seen postings on Next door and found a dead bird on my porch.
TN is having the same problem. Have seen many finch
s with crusty eyes…….(1 day only) we saw a finch
with a large tumor under its eye. have not seen any dead birds.