Death of songbirds probably unrelated to the emergence of cicadas
As experts continue to probe the cause of the disease that kills songbirds in the eastern United States and parts of the Midwest, Connecticut officials say the deaths are likely unrelated to the emergence of the cicadas this year.
Songbirds – such as robins, cardinals, blue jays, finches, sparrows, crows, orioles, and chickadees – have appeared dead in the mid-Atlantic region and parts of the Midwest. from April. Researchers have since tested for potential diseases. Many known diseases have been ruled out, but the cause remains unknown, according to the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Earlier this month, officials said, cases appeared to be declining in some states.
Over the weekend, DEEP’s Fish and Game Division said two other birds – a common starling and a house sparrow – were sent to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Connecticut last week for be tested there. Final results for the other three birds with symptoms consistent with the regional disease that were previously submitted to the lab for testing are still pending, the agency said.
“There has been a lot of speculation about the cause of this mortality,†Connecticut Fish and Game said. “One initial thought was that the emergence of Brood X cicadas and possible bioaccumulative toxins might have played a role since the initial geographic extent of the disease was similar to the range of emergence of cicadas. The expansion of the reported geographic extent of songbird mortality and the lack of detection of toxic agents to date make this unlikely. “
Connecticut Fish and Game said that while there have been recent reports of dead birds, that doesn’t mean they were all killed by the mysterious disease.
“When young, inexperienced birds leave the nest, they frequently die from impacts with windows or are killed by house cats and other predators,” the agency said. “Birds, especially young birds, are also susceptible to diseases known as West Nile virus and bird flu. Birds submitted to CVMDL for testing were consistent with symptoms of the mysterious death reported in other states. “
Symptoms include swollen and crusty eyes or discharge, as well as neurological problems including loss of balance, head tremors, and seizures.
As experts continue to work to identify the cause of the mysterious illness, officials said residents of the state should still refrain from feeding birds, including hummingbirds, and temporarily suppress bird baths. of their property at the moment. DEEP said songbirds and hummingbirds have an abundant supply of insects, seeds, fruit and nectar this time of year.