Bird deaths
Hi Bird Group. I have 3 bird feeders plus 2 bird baths in my yard. Over the past few months, we have been finding dead birds in the yard. Since April, we have found at least 12 little brown birds, mostly finches, but last week a dead cardinal and two juv. cardinals on the roof that appeared to be ill (though we never found their bodies.) Mom and Dad had bird feeders in the same location from the time they built here in 1981 and we've continued after they died.
We are a bit concerned about the bird deaths since this is the 1st year that we've seen so many in such a short period of time. Our neighbor grows field corn as well as sunflowers, beans, okra, and sweet corn on 2 acres of our property and he normally sprays (by hand using a pump sprayer), though we didn't see him spray this year.
The county in North Georgia where we live is a large poultry-growing area and there are probably at least 30 of the large industrial growers within 5 miles of our house.
Does anyone have any clues as to what might be causing these bird death? Is this something that we need to report to our local health department.
= new reply since forum marked as read
When you see several of the same bird dead it could mean there's a disease outbreak. Since this seems to have spread it could be West Nile, a bird flu or even agricultural poisoning.
I'd report it to be safe, and do not handle the dead birds when you clean up. Wear gloves and place them in a plastic bag you can tie up. Then place them in a sealed garbage container and go in and wash your hands. Better safe than sorry.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. 