Mysterious Bird Disease is Killing Many

In Ohio on May 24, wildlife rehabilitator Jim Tinnell found a sick blue jay. Something didn’t feel right because, as the seasoned avian rehabilitator told The New York Times, “Blue jays just don’t come into rehab that often.”

After that first bird, more and more sick birds kept arriving into Mr. Tinnell’s care. At first, it was six songbirds whose eyes had been “crusted shut” making them blind. Despite his best efforts with warm compresses and antibiotics, all of the songbirds were dead within 48 hours of their arrival. They were also emaciated. 

As more birds came in, Mr. Tinnell began to see a pattern. They all had all been blinded by the same crusty eye condition. Before dying, several birds also experienced disturbing “neurological symptoms.” The birds’ heads would bob back, their bodies would bounce, and their crusted eyes, still blind, stared straight up. 

According to clinic director Dr. Chooljian, not all birds deal with the same symptoms. Some birds just have crusty eyes with swelling and mucus discharge, while others just have the previously mentioned neurological symptoms.  

Many blue jays, grackles, and starlings have been infected with this disease, and it’s been reported in 10 states. A statement released by the United States Geological Survey ruled out several pathogens that were not detected in the sick or dead birds including avian influenza, West Nile, chlamydia, and salmonella. 

The good news is that although they haven’t pinpointed the exact disease, it does seem to be tapering off and there are less reported cases. In May, 91 cases of this bird disease were reported, but now only two to four are being reported every week. 

However, the internet has gotten involved in trying to diagnose these birds, and Brood X, the periodical cicadas is the biggest contender since, after 17 years underground, it happened to remerge around the same time the mysterious bird disease did. However, while experts are not ruling out Brood X, they do have their doubts. “In general, more of us are leaning toward an emerging bacterial infection,” said Dr. Casey, a state wildlife veterinarian at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

While Mr. Tinnell was unable to save any adult birds, he has had success nursing eight fledglings back to health in as little as three days. 

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Related Content:

• Why We Need Birds and How to Protect Them From Extinction
• How to Invite Birds Into Your Yard
• Hundreds of Birds Getting Sick in Multiple States, Scientists Investigate
• Growing Concern Over Birdfeeders After Bird Deaths

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