Unidentified Illness Spreading in Wild Birds Throughout the South and Midwest

By Christine Williamson, Conservation chair

Birds in at least six states in the Midwest, the south and the District of Columbia are becoming ill or dying from a thus-far unidentified disease that affects neurological function and causes crusting, swelling and blindness to birds’ eyes.

The species most affected include Blue Jay, American Robin, Common Grackle, Northern Cardinal and European Starling,” said Allisyn-Marie Gillet, an ornithologist at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, in a news release.

Fifteen Indiana counties have reported bird deaths from this disease so far.

Indiana IDNR is waiting for a diagnosis of the disease from the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the U.S. Geographic Survey National Wildlife Health Center.

The Indiana state agency is urging Hoosiers to stop feeding birds and filling bird baths so birds don’t spread the likely viral or bacterial avian illness until it is diagnosed and the disease is brought under control.

The unknown bird disease probably already is present in Illinois, especially near the Indiana and Ohio borders.

Although the Illinois Department of Natural Resources doesn’t have information about the avian disease on its website, it’s probably a good idea for Illinois residents to take down their feeders and empty their bird baths, clean them with a 10% bleach solution and don’t use them until the disease is under control.

For tips about how to deal with birds affected by this malady can be found on the Indiana DNR website.