Sick, Dying Bird Reports Down In Virginia, Bird Feeding Resumes

VIRGINIA — After reports of mysterious illness sickening or killing birds started coming in late May, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources says reports continue to decline. The state department recommends that bird feeding can resume with precautionary guidelines in the impacted areas of Virginia.

Wildlife experts have still not identified the cause of illness or death in birds in certain areas of Virginia. Virginia was one of the first states with reports of birds with eye issues (swelling, crusts, discharge etc.), along with neurological symptoms. The most commonly affected birds are young common grackles, blue jays, European starlings and American robins. Other songbirds have been reported in lower numbers. No impacts to human health or domestic livestock and poultry have been identified so far.

In early June, the DWR and collaborating organizations started documenting dead or sick bird reports and submissions to local wildlife rehabilitation hospitals. That data allowed DWR to develop guidance and narrow down the areas most impacted by the bird mortality event. These areas include Alexandria, Arlington County, Clarke County, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Fauquier County, Frederick County, Loudoun County, Manassas, Prince William County, Shenandoah County, Warren County and Winchester. In these areas, DWR recommended removing bird feeders to limit the spread of the unknown illness impacting birds.

Residents in the affected areas can now choose to use bird feeders or provide water in bird baths. DWR recommends the following best practices to keep birds safe:

• Clean feeders and bird baths at least once a week, then disinfect with a 10 percent bleach solution to prevent potential infectious disease spread between birds and other wildlife. After cleaning, rinse well with water and allow to air dry.
• Wear disposable gloves when handling bird feeders and baths and wash your hands when finished.
• When feeding birds, follow expert recommendations, such as those listed in Audubon International’s Guide to Bird Feeding.
• Keep pets away from sick or dead wild birds.
• Avoid handling wild birds. If you must do so, wear disposable gloves or place an inverted plastic bag over your hand to avoid direct contact with the bird. Dispose of dead birds in a closed plastic bag in household trash. Alternatively, you may bury bird carcasses at least 3 feet to prevent any disease transmission to scavenging animals.
• If you observe any additional bird mortalities in Virginia, submit a mortality event to the DWR.

Agencies in the impacted states continue to work with diagnostic laboratories to identify the cause of the bird mortality event. During avian mortality events, impacted birds are sent to laboratories for diagnostic investigation. Results to date have shown the following pathogens were not found in tested birds: Salmonella and Chlamydia (bacteria); avian influenza virus, West Nile virus, coronaviruses, Newcastle disease virus, herpesviruses, poxviruses and Trichomonas parasites. Toxicology tests have come back negative for heavy metals, common pesticides and herbicides. Additional diagnostic tests are continuing.

DWR will share additional information when significant diagnostic results occur. Updates are provided on the DWR 2021 Bird Mortality Event web page.