Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Afteranyhealth andsafety issueshavebeenresolved, andespecially ifyouknowthis
bird was killed by a cat or in a collision with a window or automobile, or in some other
way not associated with disease, you might turn your thoughts to collecting the bird for
scientists at a university or museum. Start by contacting a wildlife professional who has
a federal and state permit to collect birds or bird parts. (You may find such a person at a
nearby university, museum, nature center, or an elementary or high school.)
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects native American birds, dead and
alive,andtheirparts(feathers,eggs,andnests),byforbiddinganyonewithoutapermitto
own or handle birds or bird parts. Though at first glance the law may seem overly strict,
it serves an important conservation purpose by allowing authorities to curtail activities
that harm birds. By having oral permission to salvage the dead bird, you'll be able to
show that you weren't salvaging it to sell or possess.
If you're instructed to bring the bird in under the authority of someone else's permit,
remember to record your name and contact information, the date and location, the bird's
species (if known), and a description of the circumstances, including your best guess
about the cause of the bird's death. Use a pencil or permanent ink. If you're instructed to
freeze the bird until you can bring it to the facility, double-bag it in plastic, and put the
paper with this information between the two layers.
Q I noticed a House Finch at my feeder that looked like it was sick. When I looked
with binoculars, I saw that one of its eyes was all swollen and gunked up. What was
wrong with it?
A That bird was suffering from a nasty form of conjunctivitis called House Finch Eye
Disease. The disease, caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum , a common pathogen in do-
mestic turkeys and chickens, had not been reported in songbirds until an outbreak in
House Finches was first noticed during the winter of 1993-94 in Virginia and Maryland.
The disease isn't harmful to humans, but it can be fatal to House Finches. Volunteer bird-
watchers joined the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's House Finch Disease Survey to help
track the spread of the disease across the continent. Their reports helped scientists under-
stand the dynamics of epidemics in birds. To prevent this sick bird from infecting other
birds at your feeders, you should close down your feeding station for a couple of weeks.
Thoroughly wash your feeders and let them air dry until you put them up again.
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