Bald Eagles Are The Latest Victims Of Deadly Bird Flu Spreading Across U.S.

[turbinetree]

A highly contagious avian flu strain, H5N1, has killed many wild birds and led to the culling of millions of chickens and turkeys on farms.
Hilary Hanson
Apr. 16, 2022, 01:22 PM EDT

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A highly contagious and deadly strain of avian flu spreading among farms and wild birds in the United States has been claiming the lives of bald eagles.

Three bald eagles found dead in Georgia tested positive for the new influenza strain, H5N1, the state’s department of natural resources announced this week. The statement also noted that a survey of bald eagles near Georgia’s coast found more “failed nests” than expected, some containing dead eaglets. It wasn’t immediately clear if nest failures were due to avian flu.

Over the past month, H5N1 has also killed eagles in Maine, Ohio, South Dakota and Vermont, NPR reported. Wildlife rehabilitation center Back to the Wild said earlier in April that a dozen deathly ill eagles had been brought in, typically too sick to fly and unsteady on their feet.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bald-eagles-bird-flu_n_625af55de4b052d2bd625e53

[Ocelot II]

1. Here in MN we've been advised to take down bird feeders

and stop feeding the birds, because the virus is spread whenever birds congregate. It kills songbirds as well as raptors (which get it from the songbirds they catch and eat). A whole family of great horned owls in the neighborhood died from it last week. So I've stopped putting out food and will take down all my feeders tomorrow to clean them. I've always loved watching the birds on the feeders but I guess not this spring.

[turbinetree]

2. I can still remember seeing white snowy owl in the north country when I was growing up

sitting in a field and eating a vole that it had just caught, it was and still is in my mind the most majestic bird there is on that clear and cold morning from which I saw it as a child......

[multigraincracker]

4. Latest research looks a little better

for song birds. we stopped the big feeder a month ago when I saw my fist migration birds. left up the finch feeder. Good to wash bird feeders often now. It transfers by droppings.

[NickB79]

6. I was just going to comment on the owl deaths

Very sad.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/a-south-minneapolis-great-horned-owl-family-of-5-dies-of-suspected-avian-flu

The center said it received reports on Tuesday and Wednesday of three great horned owls in distress and admitted the owls into the triage hospital.

All three owls were suffering from extreme neurological symptoms and one died suddenly, the center reported. The two remaining youngsters were euthanized.

Today, after all three young owls tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the center received additional calls about two adult great horned owls found dead in the same area.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. So, how do we dispose of dead birds?

Plastic bags and throw them in the trash?

[multigraincracker]

5. Would be a great question for your County Extension Agent.

Ag orgs might be happy to test them to collect data the spread.

[MineralMan]

7. Minnesota, too. Sad.

[MerryBlooms]

8. This breaks my heart. I sure hope it's not widespread.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Here in Philly, the zoo has brought all of its birds indoors (or netted their enclosures)

to keep wild birds out and reduce any potential for infection.

Philadelphia Zoo Keeping Birds Indoors As Precaution Against Highly Contagious Avian Flu

By Madeleine Wright
April 5, 2022 at 6:01 pm


PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Zoo isn’t taking any chances when it comes to avian flu. The zoo has pulled its birds indoors, much to the disappointment of some visitors. More than likely, the only birds you’ll see at the Philadelphia Zoo are the sparrows and geese that roam around looking for food.

But it’s those wild birds that could pose a danger to the exotic birds on display. Vistors at the Philadelphia Zoo can see the sheep, alpaca and other animals, but noticeably absent are the exotic birds. “Everything from our smallest sunbittern to our largest emu, our bald eagles, our penguins, are all being housed indoors,” said Philadelphia Zoo Vice President of Animal Wellbeing Rachel Metz.

Since February, the zoo has been keeping its collection of more than 100 birds inside so they won’t catch the highly contagious avian flu. Only animal keepers wearing masks, face shields and gloves have access to the exotic birds.

‘We’ve even gone as far as asking visitors that are in vehicles, so our caterers and construction workers, when they come in, they’re spraying their tires. Why are we doing that? It’s because these vehicles might have been in areas where the virus is prevalent,” Metz said.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2022/04/05/philadelphia-zoo-keeping-birds-indoors-as-precaution-against-highly-contagious-avian-flu/

Apparently most other zoos are doing similar around the country (small and large).

[turbinetree]

10. Wado................thank you

[Emile]

11. They say Bluejays and Canadian Geese also have it.

I have a small farm pond and this time of year the wild geese use it as a cheap motel. Gotta watch where I step if you know what I mean?