DNR investigating dying song birds in several IN counties

[jjas]

Here's a link to the article.

fox59.com/news/dnr-investigating-sick-dying-songbirds-in-indiana-counties/

And a bit of the article.

MONROE COUNTY, Ind.–Indiana Department of Natural Resources is investigating after reports of sick and dying songbirds in five counties.

It said the five counties are Monroe, Clark, Jefferson, LaGrange, and Lake.

“Several species are being affected,” said Allisyn-Marie Gillet, DNR ornithologist, “including blue jay, American robin, common grackle, Northern cardinal, European starling, and a few others.”

The affected songbirds showed neurological signs of illness as well as eye swelling and crusty discharge, according to DNR.

[Sasquatch]

I haven't seen any updates on this. I wonder what it is.

[subzero350]

www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/wildlife-diseases-in-indiana/songbird-deaths/

[freedomhunter]

The brown headed cow birds are alive and well around our feeder in johnson county. I could do without them. I haven't seen a dead bird anywhere

[Woody Williams]

Interesting PSA that Salty Dog found..

PSA concerning blinded, dying birds. Just read a statement from WV DNR concerning the affliction hitting birds in the eastern panhandle of WV. There's no revelation there; it's an advisory to take down/disinfect feeders. Sadly, it seems we're still a long way from identifying the causative agent for the birds' desiccated eyes, ataxia, and morbidity. It must be noted that the eastern panhandle of WV, which is the only part reporting the affliction in birds, is under Brood X invasion. The Ohio reports of this affliction in birds come from Brood X-invaded areas. Ditto the DC/NoVA area where it was first noticed. All in Brood X territory. So it's evidently linked to the presence of Brood X periodical cicadas. The neuro elements (tremor and ataxia) look like a reaction to pesticide toxicity. The head swelling and displaced mandibles suggest the same, at least to me. Big box stores and Ortho, among others, pushed pesticides, particularly Sevin, hard as the Brood X event came on. People bought their lies and drenched their trees and lawns in poison. One may as well try to stop a tsunami with snow fencing. And God knows what it's done to these people and their pets. But the retailers and chemical companies made some money off their hysteria. Doubtful that this is infectious or communicable; doubtful that it is a virus or bacterium, and thus doubtful that feeder sanitation/ceasing feeding will address anything. More likely that it is caused by humans spraying for cicadas. As such, it should subside as the cicadas die. NB: An important bit of information from Katie Fallon of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in Cheat Lake is that they aren't seeing it there, but did admit afflicted blue jays, grackles, and starlings in the summer of 2016. ***Which happens to be the last time periodical cicadas invaded that part of WV (Brood V)*** I'm in Brood V zone too, and am seeing no cicadas, and no afflicted birds. These are my conclusions based on information I've gathered. I'm posting it again because I'm buried in DM's asking about it. No, this has nothing to do with Mycoplasma (house finch disease). I first opined on this on May 29, and my suspicion that it's linked to spraying for cicadas has only strengthened. If you see posts declaring that it's caused by a virus, that's totally unsubstantiated. Check the sources, and double-check against current reports. I'll put that May 29 post in the comments section. Thanks.

[Woody Williams]

Her May 29th post..

From May 29: PSA. Lots of talk and a Washington Post article about fledgling blue jays and grackles being stricken with a "new disease" in Northern Virginia. Blindness, closed eyes, ataxia. I'm going to throw in my unresearched, common-sense opinion, FWIW. First: Blue jays and grackles are distantly related taxa--corvids and icterids. So a new disease that selectively affects only them would be pretty big news. Second: One thing grackles and blue jays DO have in common is large body size and big mouths. Big enough to swallow a cicada. Third: Brood X cicadas have emerged in Northern Virginia. Every bird that can subdue and swallow them is eating them and feeding them to fledglings--but only if they're big enough to swallow them. You're not hearing about sick song sparrows. Fourth: Big box stores are hyping pesticides to "control" cicadas, which is utterly ridiculous. Ortho says: "Sevin® Insect Killer Concentrate, used with pump-style sprayer, is ideal for treating lawn areas and small trees and shrubs at risk for cicada damage. Spray all plant surfaces thoroughly, concentrating on small twigs where cicadas may lay eggs." This is an utter, total lie, preying on people's fears for profit. You cannot stop Brood X. But people will buy and spray, thinking they will "protect their trees." And they are doing it. Put it all together, and the picture that emerges, at least for me, is that these sick fledgling blue jays and grackles in northern Virginia have been fed poisoned insects, and that's what's killing them. There are just too many external factors working together here for this to be a novel disease. It's got to be humans and their poisons. Mysterious new disease? I think not.

[Sasquatch]

What kind of imbecile sprays for cicadas? Any tree small enough to be damaged could be covered. Sheesh!

[firstwd]

I'm not sure i buy the insecticide answer since the issue doesn't seem to be across the board with all birds.

[medic22]

It really wouldn't hurt my feelings if all the starlings and blue Jay's around my house died.