Most days, birds just bring me pure joy. Some days, though, I can’t stop worrying about their fate. The meteor didn’t kill off these dinosaurs, but I sometime fear we might.
I’m finally able to get back to raptor banding after a few years’ hiatus for health and COVID. It’s such a great feeling to be out there, and so exciting to be seeing my old avian friends again. (The humans too!) But we’re heading into the season with a big note of caution — avian flu is spreading, and it’s something we’ve got to watch out for.
As we start our banding season, we’re reviewing all of our protocols for the birds’ safety and ours. As you might expect, there are some new rules related to COVID, though we’ve all been living with it for a while so we covered that pretty quickly. What really took time were the new protocols for avian influenza - bird flu.
Many of you have probably heard about the flu - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5NI. (If you keep chickens, you’re no doubt acutely aware and already taking precautions.) It has been spreading worldwide and has been in the US since early this year. The disease is widely present in waterfowl, though many do not show symptoms of illness. A major source of spreading is via infected droppings which creates great potential for spread - as anyone who has tried to keep their feet clean near a duck pond or a marsh can tell you.
Bird Flu is being carefully monitored due to the potentially devastating effects on poultry flocks, and from concerns that it could jump to humans. Spread to other wild birds is studied partly from concern about transmission to poultry. Unfortunately the current bird flu is very lethal to raptors… like they don’t have enough problems already. We’re taking extra precautions, including sanitizing tools and equipment between each bird. Those of us who live with birds will be keeping separate sets of clothing and shoes to avoid any possibility of cross-contamination in either direction.
It’s painful to watch the spread to various raptor populations - nearly 700 black vultures have died near one roost site in Georgia. As individuals, our responses are limited, but there are things we can do to avoid making things worse. Monitor news about bird flu in your area, especially as fall migration gets underway and birds start settling into winter territories.
If it starts to show up significantly in your area, consider limiting or stopping feeding and bird baths. So far songbirds don’t seem to be getting too sick, but they may transmit the virus. You want to avoid ground feeding, especially around water, where passerines and waterfowl could mingle over that delicious stale bread and cracked corn. If you provide baths, clean them thoroughly and regularly. Those who have backyard chickens or pet birds should make sure wild birds can’t get to their food and water sources; ideally wild birds would be completely excluded from your birds’ spaces. (Let’s face it - they poop wherever they want.)
When you’re out for a day of birding and visiting multiple sites, try not to track muck from one site to another; rinse or brush footwear between stops. If you see sick or grounded birds, report them but don’t take them to local wildlife or animal care facilities unless you call first to confirm that it’s okay. They don’t want to put existing patients at risk of infection; many have quarantine facilities set up but you need to make sure they have space.
Birds are resilient; they wouldn’t have lasted all these millions of years if they weren’t. The miracle that is autumn migration is just getting underway. Get out there and savor the sights. Do what you can to help them through this latest obstacle. And then next spring, watch for more baby dinosaurs in your midst.
(Sorry for the somber tone of this post vs. my usual exuberance. It’s something that has been weighing on my thoughts a lot lately.)