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The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is urging people to remove bird feeders and report sightings of dead birds as a “mysterious disease” spreads and kills them in parts of the country.
States like Maryland and Virginia began receiving reports of sick and dying birds in May. The birds exhibited swelling of the eyes, crusty discharge, and neurological signs. More recently, additional reports have been received from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Although the majority of affected birds are young blackbirds, blue jays, European starlings and American robins, other species of songbirds have also been reported. The cause of illness or death is unknown.
As a precaution, MassWildlife is asking the public to remove bird feeders and baths in the hopes that the birds do not pass the infection to each other. Hummingbird feeders can be left in place.
MassWildlife is also asking the public to report any dead or sick birds to help track this widespread mortality issue.
The division is asking residents to email reports of sick birds to [email protected] with the location, number and species of birds, symptoms seen, and all photos. Birds that appear to have died in collisions with glass, cars or predation by cats do not need to be reported.
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