A mass bird fatality event is happening in the Washington, D.C. area and the signs include puffy eyes along with a discharge that leaves the birds blind.
According to Bird Watcher Daily, the types of birds most likely to be impacted are juvenile Common Grackles, European Starlings and Blue Jays.
“Eye issues were reported in what otherwise looked like healthy juvenile birds, causing blindness and the birds to land and stay on the ground,” the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said in a statement. “Animal Control is now seeing additional species of birds affected. Other agencies and localities across the region and state are reporting similar issues.”
The birds appear completely healthy except for the eye issues, it leaves the birds blind and lying on the ground. According to the United States Geological Survey, birds can transmit the illness by congregating at bird baths and bird feeders. Despite these details, no specific cause of death has yet been identified.
The incidents began in late May of this year in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia area. Sick birds were found with swollen eyes and crusty discharge. Diagnostic laboratories are working on finding a cause of death.
Until more details are discovered, residents are advised not to feed birds, to clean bird feeders with bleach, not to touch birds and to keep their pets away from birds as well.
