What's Killing The Baby Song Birds In Connecticut?

CONNECTICUT — Young song birds are dying in the state, and the experts don't yet know why.

Reports of sick and dying birds with neurological symptoms, vision problems, and eye swelling often accompanied by a crusty discharge, have been reported in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana Kentucky and, now, Connecticut.

The nature of the ailment is still a mystery, according to Sunny Kellner, Wildlife Rehabilitation and Outreach Specialist at the Sharon Audubon Center.

"We don't know what this is yet, but were assuming it is easily transmitted from bird to bird," Kellner said. For that reason, wildlife health officials are recommending residents stop feeding birds at bird feeders, and elevate their bird-related cleaning protocols.

The illness seems to be most common in juvenile common grackles, blue jays, European starlings, and American robins, according to the American Audubon Society. Kellner pointed out that those species are common visitors to backyard bird feeders and bird baths.

The symptoms are manifesting in the nestlings and the fledglings, Kellner said, and all the while mama bird is continuing to care for them.

Some of the other neurological symptoms which residents may observe in their backyard birds include their being wobbly, falling over, a lack of coordination, seizures, paralysis and constant vocalization.

"They're in good body condition otherwise, but they're dying," Kellner told Patch

No human health, domestic livestock, or poultry issues have been reported, according to the latest information available from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Until more information is known, the DEEP Wildlife Division is asking residents to follow these five precautionary measures:

• Cease feeding birds and providing water in bird baths until this wildlife mortality event has concluded. This may be infectious.
• Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10 percent bleach solution.
• Avoid handling dead or injured wild birds. Wear disposable gloves if it is necessary to handle a bird.
• Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution.
• To dispose of dead birds, place them in a sealable plastic bag and discard with household trash. This will prevent disease transmission to other birds and wildlife.

Residents who receive or hear about any dead birds, are urged to report them to the Connecticut Dead Bird Database. Dead birds with crusty eyes and apparent neurological impairment should also be submitted to the University of Pennsylvania Penn Bird Mortality Reporting Program, Kellner said.