Deadly bird Disease spreading across US

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RickN

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Disease blinds than kills birds. They are wanting people to stop feeding and watering bird until fall at least.

"Enjoying the chirps of your favorite songbirds from your own bird feeder may have to be put on pause as a deadly infectious eye disorder is inching closer to home.


“This particular disease is unique in that it’s impacting a lot of different species and happening pretty quickly,” Alison Kocek, Vice President of the Onondaga Audubon Society said.


Scientists think the disease originated in Washington, D.C. a few months ago and could impact any songbird you normally see in your backyard.


“It’s really not super clear as to how this disease came about. We still don’t know if it’s a bacteria, is this a virus, is this a fungus we have no idea,” Kocek said.


The disease has the potential to spread throughout the entire country and some signs include birds having trouble moving, being unable to fly, or falling over.


The Onondaga Audubon Society is urging people to take down their bird feeders and birdbaths to prevent the disease from coming to Central New York. ""
Kocek said by taking down your feeders it eliminates the potential for the disease to get on the feeder and spread to other birds. However, hummingbird feeders and birdhouses can still stay up for now as long as you regularly clean them.


Kocek said now is the perfect time of year to take down the bird feeders because there is an abundance of natural food for the birds to eat like flowers, berries, and insects."


If you see a bird you think has been infected, Kocek encourages you to contact the Department of Environmental Conservation immediately, take a picture if you feel comfortable, and keep the bird away from any household pets.

 

Okie4570

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Sounds like it's an east an eastern deal for the most part.
"In addition to Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania the disease has been reported in Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia."
 
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Sounds like it's an east an eastern deal for the most part.
"In addition to Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania the disease has been reported in Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia."
I just checked in on publications from one of the science journals I follow and as of 24hours ago it appears that it is contained to the east coast, but has spread throughout the coast rather quickly.
 
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wondered where all the birds went. saw my first blue jay in six months yesterday. hadn't seen a mockingbird or dove in I don't know how long.
resident doves been gone a long time.

Those birds are at my house. 2 mockingbirds in the big tree by the porch. They were tag teaming the neighbors cat as they chased him outta my yard. Gutsy birds. 3 pairs of doves that camp out here. What I’m missing is the hummingbirds. Had 8 last year now only 2.
 

chuter

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Zero bluebirds this year. I thought it was from the severe winter freeze. Hwy 9 between Norman and lake Thunderbird. Friend in Blanchard says plenty there.
I havent seen any sick birds at the feeders or otherwise.
Interesting.
We've only seen bluebirds once this year. We have a bluebird house that has been busy for several years, but nothing this year. Two birds checked it out one day, never saw them again.
 

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