Dieing birds...

[TekWarren]

since this last weekend we have found two dead robins in our yard which is not usual at least not in the 5yrs we have lived in our house. The strange thing is that they where both found in the same corner of our backyard. The first one appeared to be a young adult and this morning my wife found a juv. Neither had visible signs of a predator attack...no blood noticed, seemed fully in tact. I know its that time of year and young birds sometimes don't make it but I have half a mind that something else is happening. I hate to say this but part of me things my neighbor or their kids is doing something to them. Their trash is always ending up in our yard as well as hundreds of those stupid air soft pellets and a couple weeks ago an ARROW was found stuck in the ground right beside our dog kennel! OH they make me so mad...

Anyway we bagged the robin this morning and are trying to decide if we should have it looked at or not. We don't have extra money to throw around but if it where to bring to light some sort of disease, poison, or even animal cruelty I guess it would be worth it. I may check out the DNR website today and see if there is a contact I can make, our only other ideas are either the local MSU extension office or a vet.

On top of that our dogs found a young dove (it was not harmed) that has been flopping around the yard also. Its to young to fly and we only touched it long enough to move to a safer area. We have observed another more mature dove watching over the little one either sitting in the tree above the little one or sitting on the ground keeping it warm.

Just looking for suggestions as we have never noticed so many birds having issues. Finding the two dead robins in the same place has me the mos suspicious. We don't own cats but I do know there are some down the street but again there where no feathers or...parts removed.

hrm...

[daaangconcepts]

I think finding dead birds could be a sign they are infected with the West Nile Virus.

Check this website out:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/west.../wnv_birds.htm

It gives links for each state on who you should report it to for testing.

[TekWarren]

It shows that WNV is no longer regularly tested due to lack of funding... However I followed some links and filling out a form with the DNR. It could be a freak thing and me worrying to much but I guess it doesn't hurt to at least let them know.

[darkdreamer]

Bird Flu?

[frankykeno]

I'd have a little chat with one of your local wildlife officers. A sudden unexplained issue with any wildlife, whether it's disease related or may be due to rotten unsupervised kids that like to harrass critters, should be mentioned to them. Since you've bagged one, they might want to check it for BB pellets or the like as well as test it if that's their procedure. They might also just blow you off, but what's the harm in a phone call I figure.

[TekWarren]

Last night when I stepped out into the back yard I could hear one of the kids just blasting away with their air soft gun and as soon as he saw me he went inside. If I thought we would be staying in our house for many more years I'd invest in a nice wooden fence!

The good news is the little pigeon is still alive but we are keeping our distance from it.

[sharilynn]

Report those little brats!!

[Brandon.O]

This is strange.....i was house sitting for a friend of mine and i also found dead robins in her yard....no sighns of any injuries or trauma....just dead....wierd

I know here in N.M there has been a few confirmed cases of west nile.....who knows. either way it was pretty freaky

I think within a months time i found about 4 dead birds

[TekWarren]

I didn't hear back from the DNR...not that I really expected to. I disposed of the second bird. If there is a third I won't even think twice about bringing it in for testing even if there is a cost.

[Ginevive]

Hm.. I see a lot of dead birds here. But there's a feral cat that is killing them. They are very obviously ripped apart..
Maybe some disease? Or honestly, it cold be the kids and their airsofts. I don't think that the plastic balls they shoot, would cause a bleeding or obvious wound. I would get them on video doing it and turn it into local law enforcement. Gun usage and misuse is a sore subject for me, as I love responsible gun ownership and shooting. I might even go so far as to say that they were shooting at me.. heck, if they are going all nuts with them anyway, who's to say a stray ball didn't hit your property?