SICK AND DYING BIRDS IN YOUR YARD

Over the past three summers, the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC), Atlantic Region has received numerous reports of sick and dying birds around bird feeders and water baths in people's yards throughout the Maritimes. The primary species affected are purple finch and American goldfinch, and a microscopic parasite, Trichomonas gallinae, causes their illness which is known as trichomoniasis (trichomonosis). It is anticipated that this summer will be no different with widespread mortality of finches occurring throughout the region around people's homes. The CCWHC has a research project focused on tracking this emerging disease problem to better understand its impact on wild bird populations and would like to examine as many of the dead birds as possible. The CCWHC cannot advise or encourage members of the general public to handle dead birds. However, if an interested individual was inclined to collect a specimen, the following procedure should be practiced:

1. Place a plastic bag over hand and pick up the dead bird with hand covered by the plastic bag.
2. Invert the plastic bag over the bird and tie the top of the plastic bag.
3. Wash hands well with warm water and soap.
4. Deliver the dead bird in the bag to the local Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife or Canadian Wildlife Service office where it will be frozen and held for pick up at a later date. On Prince Edward Island (PEI), the specimen can also be directly submitted to the Post Mortem Office at the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Biologists, conservation officers and wildlife technicians have busy schedules and limited freezer space so it is up to their discretion to facilitate a request to hold a dead bird for submission. Therefore, in Nova Scotia (NS) and PEI, it is advisable to call the office prior to handling a dead bird to obtain their consent to cooperate. All submitted samples should have the following information included with them:

1. Submitter's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if available).
2. Location where dead bird was found.
3. Date dead bird was found.
4. Number of dead or sick birds observed.

Unfortunately, at this time, New Brunswick (NB) Department of Natural Resources is unable to participate in this targeted surveillance program. As a result, we would appreciate if you could contact us directly about any mortality that might occur in NB. Individuals to contact include, Dr. Scott McBurney (email: smcburney@upei.ca or phone: 902-566-4469); Whitney Kelly-Clark (email: wkelly@upei.ca or phone: 902-620-5052); or Fiep DeBie (email: fdebie@upei.ca or phone: 902-628-4314).

Any birds submitted will have a complete post mortem examination, and, subsequently, a full diagnostic report will be sent to the person who submitted the bird(s) as well as the agency that held the specimen(s). This work would not be possible without public participation and the involvement of provincial and federal wildlife agencies so the CCWHC greatly appreciates your assistance. If you require any further information about this project or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly using the information provided above.