Photo credit: Bee Hummingbird, Photo from Audubon (Left) and Sword-billed Hummingbird, Photo from Wiki Commons (Right)

As we again enter the warm season, we begin to see the return of a favorite garden visitor across the Americas: the hummingbird. Exclusive to the Western hemisphere, there are over 360 species of hummingbird that make yearly treks between North and Central America, with some journeying as far as South America. These birds are famously tiny, weighing on average around 2-5 grams (though larger species may reach 20 grams), but that doesn’t stop them from being some of the most elite athletes in the animal kingdom. 

In preparation for migration, hummingbirds have been known to double their body weight, which will allow them to store energy for flights as far as 500 miles without needing to stop. In addition to their endurance, hummingbirds also reach other extremes of physiology: wingbeats of 50 to 80 rotations per second, heart rates over 500 beats per minute, and the ability to enter a torporous state when environmental conditions are suboptimal. 

Despite their impressive adaptations and general public appreciation, many species of hummingbird are in decline. The IUCN has 8 species of hummingbird currently listed as critically endangered, and 255 species undergoing population decline. In the age of the Anthropocene, we are seeing loss of habitat related to climate change and human activity as the primary driving force for the decline of these species. Agricultural and industrial expansion requires mass deforestation, which does not give a species time to adapt their natural behaviors to unfamiliar or newly crowded territory. In addition to habitat fragmentation and loss, predation by domestic species is another active concern for the field of wildlife conservation. In the United States alone, biologists estimate that domestic cats are responsible for the deaths of anywhere from 1 to 3 billion birds annually. 

Photo credit: David Prieto-Torres via Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation

So what can we, as members of the public, do to help protect our hummingbirds?

• Advocate for climate action: When possible, vote for policies that ensure protection of our natural resources and wild species. Contact representatives, engage in public education efforts, and talk to people in your community about sustainable practices that can be implemented at a local level. 
• Participate in citizen science projects: Many research centers have public-driven efforts to monitor bird populations through records of sightings. 
• Create hummingbird-friendly environments: Allow native plants to thrive and supply food to our tiny neighbors, add stickers to windows to help decrease the number of window strikes, and reduce nighttime light pollution by dimming or turning off outside lights.

Photo credit: Ted Thousand, International Crane Foundation

Whooping Cranes

These fascinating birds are the tallest avian species in North America. Unfortunately, habitat loss and over harvest nearly led to their extinction; by 1973, less than 50 whooping cranes existed in the wild. Thankfully, conservation efforts and captive breeding programs began in the late 1960s. Today, around 600 whooping cranes exist in the wild.

Starting at around 2 to 3 years old, these birds begin searching for a mate with whom they will form a monogamous, life-long bond. Their courtship rituals include elaborate unison walks and calls, as well as courtship dances. Once bonded, these birds will breed seasonally if conditions allow. 

Want to know how you can help? Check out the following link: International Crane Foundation

Photo credit: Stacey Bergman, Friends of California Condors Wild and Free

California Condors

While the whooping crane may be North America’s tallest bird, the California condor is the largest land bird on the continent! In 1967, this species became classified as endangered due to factors such as lead poisoning, poaching, and habitat degradation. In 1987, the 22 remaining California condors were captured and brought into captivity for captive-breeding efforts. There are now approximately 500 California condors in existence, with pairs now producing chicks in the wild.

These beautiful birds are also known to mate for many years, if not for life. Pairs begin their courtship process during the winter, spending significant amounts of time together and searching for potential nest sites. Male California condors will perform dances and displays for their female partners. Once a pair successfully hatches an egg, they often spend a year, if not longer, caring for that offspring. This means that pairs normally nest every other year.

Want to know how you can help? Check out the following link for some ideas: Friends of California Condors Wild and Free

Photo credit: One Earth Conservation

Great Green Macaw

These striking birds are charismatic, intelligent, and unfortunately critically endangered. Factors such as poaching for the pet trade, habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation have led to rapid population declines. There are organizations present today that aim to better study these species, monitor their reproduction in the wild, and fight habitat loss and degradation.

Like other macaw species, great green macaws are monogamous and mate for life. However, just like with people, picking the right partner can be hard! Macaws have been known to live with two partners for an extended period of time before choosing their long-term mate. Once a pair settles for each other, they spend a lot of time together preening, feeding each other, and searching for the perfect nest spot!

Want to help great greens and other macaw species? Check out the following links!

1. One Earth Conservation and La Moskitia 2026 Interest Form

2. Macaw Recovery Network 

Sources

1. Top Ten Whooping Crane Facts for Endangered Species Day. International Crane Foundation. https://savingcranes.org/news/resources/top-ten-whooping-crane-facts-for-endangered-species- day/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22845605674&gbraid=0AAAAADJIvLYhGIti-QimG4DjYO3HSPRTs&gclid=CjwKCAiA-sXMBhAOEiwAGGw6LDf49WlnEAHUBs2-hX6CsZzgPkZJAUNqfuLB7psfJxZDoJy9UrwZDBoCUaUQAvD_BwE.  Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

2. Whooping Crane. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/species/whooping-crane-grus-americana.  Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

3. California Condor Facts. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/california-condor-information.htm.  Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

4. California condors: rescued from the brink of extinction. Utah Division of Wildlife. https://wildlife.utah.gov/condors.html.  Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

3. Notes on the 19-20 Great Green Macaw Breeding Season. Macaw Recovery Network. https://macawrecoverynetwork.org/notes-on-the-19-20-great-green-macaw-breeding-season/, Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

4. Love is in the Air! Macaw Recovery Network. https://macawrecoverynetwork.org/love-is-in-the-air/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Pictured: Adelie Penguins Gather on an ice floe near Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Peninsula

Executive Summary

Recent suspected detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 on sub-Antarctic Heard Island (October 2025) and confirmed H5N1 cases across sub-Antarctic and Antarctic islands between 2023 and 2025 heightened concern for penguin populations. The dense colonial breeding behavior of penguins, limited veterinary support, and the overlap of susceptible seabirds and marine mammals create conditions conducive to rapid local transmission and potentially severe mortality.

Immediate priorities:

• Expanded surveillance
• Enforcement of biosecurity measures
• Standardized sampling and reporting protocols
• Establishment of contingency plans to safeguard Antarctic wildlife health

Current Situation

• Suspected H5 detection on Heard Island (Australia): Researchers observed abnormal mortality—particularly among elephant seals—during an October 2025 management voyage. Samples have been submitted for laboratory testing.
• Confirmed Antarctic detections: Since 2023, H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) has been identified in penguins (Adélie and gentoo), skuas, kelp gulls, and marine mammals such as elephant and fur seals.
• Persistent global activity: The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) continues to report HPAI H5 circulation globally, including incursions into southern hemisphere island ecosystems.
• Operational response: The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and national Antarctic programs have issued enhanced wildlife biosecurity protocols for the 2025–26 season.

• Exposure Pathways: Migratory seabirds, scavengers (skuas), contaminated carcasses or soil, and possible indirect transmission through infected marine mammals or human-mediated fomites.
• Vulnerability: Penguins’ dense breeding aggregations facilitate efficient viral spread. Remote locations and limited diagnostic/veterinary capacity increase response difficulty.
• Consequence: Additional H5N1 introductions are likely in upcoming breeding seasons, posing risks of localized die-offs or significant population losses.

Recommended Conservation Actions

1. Surveillance and Reporting

• Expand passive and active surveillance at penguin colonies and nearby seabird roosts.
• Apply harmonized sampling protocols (cloacal/oropharyngeal swabs, carcass collection, environmental samples).
• Report results through accredited reference laboratories and to the SCAR avian influenza database.

2.  Biosecurity Enforcement

• Decontaminate footwear and equipment before and after all shore visits.
• Maintain ≥5 meters distance from wildlife; avoid placing any gear on the ground.
• Suspend site access pending investigation when unexplained mortality occurs.

• Develop interdisciplinary rapid-response teams (wildlife veterinarians, ecologists, logisticians).
• Prepare carcass collection, PPE, and humane intervention protocols.
• Coordinate rapid communication among SCAR, IAATO, WOAH, and national Antarctic authorities.

4. Research Priorities

• Conduct genomic sequencing of Antarctic isolates to monitor viral evolution.
• Undertake serosurveys across penguin species to assess exposure.
• Model spread between colonies and investigate cross-species transmission pathways.

5. Communication and Outreach

• Provide clear public messaging emphasizing biosecurity compliance without creating undue alarm.
• Instruct field personnel and visitors not to handle or approach sick/dead animals.
• Strengthen regional wildlife rehabilitation and observation networks.

References

• Reuters. (2025, October 23). Australia says H5 bird flu is suspected in sub-Antarctic island. Reuters.
• Vijaykrishna, D., et al. (2024). Detection and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. Nature Communications.
• Lycett, S. J., et al. (2025). Genetic characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) in Antarctic wildlife. Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). (2025). HPAI Situation Report 75.
• International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). (2025). Avian Influenza Protocols for the 2025–26 Season.

Disclosure Statement

This conservation note was prepared by Dr. Joseph F. Annelli, DVM, MS, affiliated with Practical One Health Solutions, with editorial and technical assistance from OpenAI’s GPT-5 language model. The author has reviewed, edited, and verified all scientific content for accuracy and alignment with the objectives of the AAV Conservation Committee.

Photo Credit: Michele Black/Great Backyard Bird Count/Audubon

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC), sponsored by Audubon, is an international project that involves community members in a decades-spanning scientific endeavor. The count is conducted annually from December 14 to January 5.

The tradition was implemented in December of 1900 by ornithologist Frank Chapman. At that time, conservation biology was a relatively new field. Hunters typically participated in Christmas “side hunts," competing to kill the largest number of species in one day. Chapman saw an opportunity to redirect these events to an activity with less impact on local populations and invited birders to come together and simply count the birds of each species that they observed, rather than collecting the carcasses.

So, on Christmas day in 1900, twenty-seven birders took to the field in 25 locations throughout the United States and Canada. During the inaugural outing, the observers found over 18,000 birds spanning 90 species. Since that day in 1900, participation has skyrocketed to over 80,000 individuals.

Each November, volunteers can sign up to participate in the bird count on the Audubon Society website. There are hundreds of participating locations throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico, with several groups representing South America and the Pacific Islands, as well. If you are interested in creating a site for future bird counts, Audubon welcomes interested individuals to apply for site registration.

How is This Data Used?

Each year, the total number of observed individuals in each species is tallied and officially recorded at the end of the count. Conservation biologists, environmental researchers, and governmental agencies rely on projects such as this to monitor trends in population numbers and distribution.

The wide distribution of birders participating in the project allows for excellent monitoring of population health and behavior. Movement of bird species over decades of monitoring serves as an indicator of ecological health as it relates to climate change and urbanization. Additionally, this survey helps to provide a rough estimate of species success by following the trends in density of sightings. As a direct result of this project, Audubon published a report of common birds in decline as of 2007.

At the end of each season, the results of the CBC can be found on Audubon’s website, as well.

Photo credit: Audubon

Big Picture

At the end of the day, what is most needed is public participation and passion for environmental conservation. In North America alone, there are 174 species of birds listed as near-threatened or worse on the IUCN red list.

Interacting with nature is the surest way of developing an appreciation for the wonders around us, and public interest in these efforts is the surest way to elicit governmental action to protect our native species. So, even if it’s not through the official count, get your friends and family outdoors to spot some birds and appreciate our world!

Sources

• History of the Christmas Bird Count. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/history-christmas-bird-count Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
• State of the Birds Report: Common Birds in Decline. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/news/state-birds-report-common-birds-decline Accessed 15
  Nov. 2025.
• Summary of the 125th CBC. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/summary-of-125th-cbc-2024-2025 Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Pictured: American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). Images retrieved from Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Photo credit: briansmallphoto.com

General Information and Characteristics

Considered to be one of the fastest flying shorebirds, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, the American Golden Plover is a common migratory bird species found traversing the state of Illinois, as well as throughout the Midwest region. Each year, hailing from Arctic Tundra, these elusive migratory birds begin their nearly 20,000-mile journey. This yearly journey begins in Northern Canada and Alaska where they embark on a circular path to South America before crossing back over the Atlantic Ocean to return to the Arctic Tundra. 

During the breeding season, American Golden Plovers can be identified by their black feathers ventrally, dark feathers with black and yellow markings dorsally, and a question-mark shape of white feathers that begins above the beak trailing down around the eye and down the neck. The non-breeding morphology for this species is gray-brown with the dorsal aspect being darker than the ventral aspect and white speckling throughout the body. 

Pictured is the non-breeding morphology for the American Golden Plover. (Picture retrieved from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Photo credit to SteveByland/pond5.com.)

American Golden Plovers are primarily insectivores, but do enjoy the occasional berry, mollusk, and crustacean. They are typically found enjoying grasshoppers, beetles, and earthworms. During the spring, berries are of high importance being one of the few foods available to them. Interestingly, some studies have suggested that American Golden Plovers retain seeds in their digestive tract to help fuel themselves during migration. However, there has not been any promising evidence for this claim currently. 

Deceptively Endangered?

During migration periods, American Golden Plovers utilize only a few habitat types, mainly grasslands, mudflats, and shorelines. They have been seen utilizing more man-made environmental areas including tilled farmland. However, due to the increases in farmland and infrastructure, native habitat options are decreasing. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the American Golden Plover is a species of least concern; however, population levels are trending down. 

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, there are times when over half of the world’s population of American Golden Plovers reside in a handful of eastern Illinois counties during their spring migration. The duration that American Golden Plovers spend in this region is around 45 days, with the individual spending around 24 days on average. In the grand scheme of things, a 45-day stopover duration may not pose any concerns. However, it should be of note the proportion of the population that potentially consolidates in this small region. It is common knowledge at this point that the country is in the middle of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. If the American Golden Plover population is afflicted by HPAI during their stopover in Illinois, a huge proportion of the population could be wiped out. 

Conservation Efforts

AUDUBON FINDER

RESOURCES

• American Golden Plover Facts, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutbirds/wildaboutbirdsshorebirds/family---charadriidae/wabamericangoldenplover.html
• American Golden Plover Population Classification
  https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693740/254411509#population
• Stopover Ecology of the American Golden Plover
  https://academic.oup.com/condor/article/116/2/162/5153088
• American Bird Conservancy Facts, American Golden Plover https://abcbirds.org/bird/american-golden-plover/#:~:text=Amazing%20Annual%20Journey,South%20America%20and%20back%20again.
• Detecting HPAI in Wild Birds, USDA
  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
• American Golden Plover Habitat and Diet, Birds of the World
  https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/amgplo/cur/habitat
• SCARC Initiative, National Public Radio Illinois
  https://www.nprillinois.org/health-harvest/2019-04-23/one-way-to-make-flyover-country-more-welcoming-to-migrating-birds

Photo credit: Riparian Preserve

The Association of Avian Veterinarian’s conference is right around the corner, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone there! Arizona is known for its rich biodiversity, and this year we’re pleased to host the annual nature walk at Gilbert Riparian Preserve.

Gilbert Riparian Preserve is known for its avian diversity, and it’s recognized as a part of the Arizona Important Bird Area Program. On a global scale, the Important Bird Area Program has identified over 8,000 sites in 178 countries. Within the United States, over 2,500 sites have been identified. In Arizona, there are 48 Important Bird Area (IBA) locations that cover 3.38 million acres of habitat!

As you can imagine, a priority of these IBA locations is to conserve these beautiful areas and the birds they house, both through scientific and community-based efforts. Much of the data used to monitor IBAs comes from trained volunteer surveyors and eBird. Getting involved with avian conservation, whether you live here in Arizona or elsewhere in the country or world, can be easy and enjoyable! For more information about getting involved with your local Audubon chapter, follow this link! 

Photo credit: American Bird Conservancy

Arizona is home to many unique species year-round and, as part of the Pacific Flyway, it also sees a diverse range of migratory birds. At Gilbert Riparian Preserve, common year-round residents and early winter migrants include bald eagles, thrashers, towhees, a variety of sparrows, late warblers, snowy and great egrets, American white pelican, avocets, dowitchers, and a variety of sandpipers. As of early September, some migratory birds and residents reported to e-Bird included the yellow-breasted chat, yellow-headed blackbird, Anna’s hummingbird, neotropic cormorant, and yellow warbler!

What all will we see in October? Join us to find out! Details below.

Pre-conference Nature/Bird Walk

🗓 Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00AM - 11:00 AM
📍 Room: Hotel Lobby

RSVP Here!

Photo credit: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

One of the more iconic species found in and around Phoenix is the burrowing owl. These small birds are the only raptor in the world that live and nest underground, hence their name. However, they do not dig their burrows but rather take over burrows created by other species. Unfortunately, due to land development and climate change, this charismatic species is losing its habitat at an alarming rate.

To combat this loss, the City of Phoenix and Wild at Heart (a local raptor rehabilitation center) started the project Downtown Owls in 2013. This project initially focused on creating an urban wildlife habitat with man-made burrows within the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. Today, the project has expanded to include several other sites within the Phoenix valley. Owls are rescued and relocated to these man-made burrows where they can live safely in this urban environment.

The goal of this project has been to conserve this species by getting locals involved to help build these makeshift burrows. Live locally and want to get involved? Check out this link!

RESOURCES

• Birds at the Riparian Preserve | Gilbert, Arizona, www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch/birds. 
  
• Birds of Gilbert Water Ranch. Updated 2022. https://www.gilbertaz.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/49131/638525727246530000
  
• Ways to Get Involved. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/get-involved. 
  
• Arizona Important Bird Areas Program. https://aziba.org/?page_id=32. 
  
• eBird Recent Checklists. Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch. https://ebird.org/hotspot/L144858/recent-checklists. 
  
• Downtown Owls. Rio Salado Audubon Center.

Photo credit: Shirley Pulgar Hughes. Taken in Limón, Costa Rica. Macaulay Library ML 191500901.

Macaws are, without a doubt, one of the most charismatic neotropical (“new world”) parrots, recognized globally by bird enthusiasts and the general populace for their large size and flashy plumage. In the Americas, there are 16 macaw species throughout Central and South America still living freely, if we count the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii).  As avian practitioners, when we think about diseases affecting new world parrots, Pacheco’s disease (psittacid herpesvirus 1), Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci), Avian Polyomavirus, and Proventricular Dilatation Disease (avian bornavirus) may come immediately to mind. However, a growing body of literature reports Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (henceforth referred to as PBFD - avian circovirus) in new world parrots, as a possible cause of mortality in young birds. As a virus with epitheliotropism, symptoms can be seen as dystrophic feather development and issues with beak elongation and fragility. Systemic immunosuppression and secondary infections are often the cause of death in birds affected by PBFD. Younger birds are more severely affected, with mortality often occurring within weeks to months. PBFD can be transmitted horizontally and vertically, with horizontal transmission being more common and severe among breeding birds and nestlings. Older birds or adult birds affected by the virus often live longer with supportive care in captivity. Initially identified in wild parrots in Australia, PBFD has now spread globally, driven by the pet trade, mixing of old and new world species in captivity, and viral mutations. Contributing to viral spread, there are many challenges to how practitioners identify positive birds: lack of access to the PCR tools for testing, CITES permitting to obtain and move samples for individuals (especially out of country for testing), and lack of funding available for screening can hinder how we identify positive individuals.

Generally, conventional knowledge about PBFD amongst avian practitioners is that it is a disease of old world parrots and will affect young birds more acutely and severely. New world parrots may become infected, but may not exhibit clinical disease or mortality. The reality is more complex, with many species worldwide carrying the virus, with or without signs. A recently published study out of Costa Rica details the death and pathology associated with nestling and fledgeling Great Green Macaws (Ara ambiguus) brought into rescue centers in Costa Rica in 2021. A 7 week old female (case 1) and 8 week old male (case 2)  were found positive for PFBD with symptoms consistent with the disease: PCR for PFBD was positive in feathers of case 1 and in paraffin-embedded cloacal bursa of case 2. The great concern with this study’s findings is that free-living macaws with no known exposure to captive or pet birds were found positive, indicating some spread of the virus across critically endangered wild populations with no definitive origin.

Distribution map of Ara ambiguus, Great Green Macaw. Ebird data reporting with Google maps, 2025.

The Great Green Macaw has a distribution from Central into northern South America and is classified as critically endangered, with a total estimated population of 500–1,000 adults in the wild. There has been a severe loss of individuals due to habitat destruction, disease, and poaching, with a 99% decrease from 2009 to 2019 reported in Costa Rica alone. Many centers across Costa Rica are hoping to boost wild populations with captive breeding programs, possibly introducing rescued individuals from different countries into captive breeding stock to help with genetic diversity. However, if disease exposure risk in rescued or captive birds is a concern for nestling mortality, such programs may need significant additional safeguards before proceeding. In the same study reporting PBFD in two wild-living Great Green Macaws, it was reported that the virus has been found in 53 of 269 (20%) captive psittacines in Costa Rican rescue centers. Additionally, a pre-release study of 122 captive psittacines (all native species) found a 9.8% prevalence of PBFD. Another study in Costa Rica did not find PBFD in blood and feather samples from 9 free-living specimens of Amazona auropalliata. There is a great need to investigate the prevalence and risk PBFD may pose to wild and captive-wild parrots in Costa Rica and other countries with similar hopes for captive breeding and release of birds who have had contact with birds impacted by the pet trade.

 A similar challenge has arisen in Brazil, with the critically endangered Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) breeding program. Since 2022, a limited number of individuals have been released into the central-eastern part of the country, Curaçá, and 11 individuals are now living freely in the wild. There are high hopes of future breeding and re-establishment of the species after their local extinction in the wild. However, in July of 2025, PBFD was detected in an individual of the breeding colony. There was a release of bred birds scheduled for this month that has been suspended while involved parties investigate disease prevalence in the breeding colony as well as accessible wild birds.National and international groups are hard at work in addressing the challenges centers face in these programs: the IUCN Wild Parrot Specialist Group has an active PBFD initiative within the Health and Welfare subgroup, in which some AAV members play a role.

To date, PBFD has been found in more than 60 species of parrots, representing more than 10% of parrot species worldwide. PBFD poses a huge additional risk to endangered species as most parrot species continue to decline in the wild. Lovebirds, genus Agapornis,  have the highest reported prevalence of PBFD, with 26.60% reported in one review study. If one is looking for a more detailed global perspective on the prevalence of PBFD, the literature is plentiful. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the exotic pet trade is popular, the mean prevalence of PBFD in adult owned birds was found to be 58.33% in African Gray Parrots (genus Psittacus), 34.42% in Cockatoos (of several genera), 31.8% in Amazon Parrots (genus Amazona) and 25.53% in Macaws (genuses Anodorhynchus, Ara, and Diopsittaca). A 2014-2015 report from the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Zoos Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary tested liver samples from 210 captive-owned birds, using polymerase chain reaction coupled with sequencing and phylogenetic analyses for PBFD. The virus was detected in 38.1% of individuals, and a high prevalence (56.2 %) in psittacine birds of all genera, both old and new world. In the majority of cases, there were no observed clinical signs of PBFD.

Why does this proportion of disease prevalence in captive or traded birds matter? From 2006 to 2012, birds were still reported to be one of the most abundant groups (in both species and individuals) in the legal and illicit wildlife trade. More recent studies (2019)  have shown that 2,345 species, accounting for almost one-fourth of all bird species, have recently been confiscated as part of the global wildlife trade, and this only encompasses the well-documented reports from international border traffic at major ports (legal and illegal). The same recent analysis (2019) of live bird trade records in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has indicated that almost 90% of all live birds traded were from the order Psittaciformes. Legally or illegally, these birds are vectors of disease, and if we are hoping to safeguard the health of wild populations, we desperately need greater scrutiny of individuals impacted by trade.

As avian practitioners, you have clinical and research skills that are relevant to these efforts. Working at zoos or sanctuaries, you may advocate for more comprehensive disease screening of new world parrots. Working with breeders or when collaborating with centers internationally, especially if the centers work with individuals rescued from the wildlife trade, you can champion proper biosecurity. PBFD viral particles excreted in the environment are highly resistant to adverse environmental conditions, such as high temperatures and desiccation, and to many common disinfectants. In more advanced zoo settings, early detection of asymptomatic individuals using highly sensitive screening tests, such as PCR, can provide valuable information about risks individuals may pose to other captive birds, or if they are suitable for breeding programs that have the end goal of wild release. Nuanced quarantine strategies for captive-wild individuals, as well as disinfection of enclosures with peroxide- containing disinfectants, are essential.

To learn more about the wildlife trade, the status of macaw populations in the wild, and PBFD, please peruse the collection of resources below. Let’s strive to help the Great Green Macaw and other amazing wild parrot species stick around for generations to come.

Photo credit: Fernando Burgalin Sequeria, taken in Heredia, Costa Rica. Accessed Macaulay Library ML 135445121

RESOURCES

• Olivares, Roberto WI, et al. "Psittacine beak and feather disease in 2 free-living great green macaws: a case report and literature review." Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 37.4 (2025): 666-673.
• ICMBio toma medidas emergenciais para conter circovírus em ararinhas-azuis reintroduzidas na natureza (The Chico Mendes Biodiversity Conservation Institute takes emergency measures to contain circovirus in Spix's macaws reintroduced into the wild)). Accessed online 8/12/2025.
  https://www.gov.br/icmbio/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/ultimas-noticias/icmbio-toma-medidas-emergenciais-para-conter-circovirus-em-ararinhas-azuis-reintroduzidas-na-natureza
• Chan, David Tsz Chung, et al. "Global trade in parrots–Influential factors of trade and implications for conservation." Global ecology and conservation 30 (2021): e01784.
• Hughes, Liam J., et al. "The ecological drivers and consequences of wildlife trade." Biological Reviews 98.3 (2023): 775-791.
• Zhang, Xueping, et al. "A Meta-Analysis of Global Prevalence of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus Infection and Associated Risk Factors." Animals 15.10 (2025): 1473.
• Hakimuddin, F., et al. "Incidence and detection of beak and feather disease virus in psittacine birds in the UAE." Biomolecular detection and quantification 6 (2016): 27-32.
• Miesle, J. Avian Beak and Feather Disease: An Overview. IVIS. Accessed online 8/5/2025.
  https://www.ivis.org/library/avian-health-and-disease/psittacine-beak-and-feather-disease-an-overview
• Avila, Jennifer. La Mosquitia: Dangerous Territory for Scarlet Macaws in Honduras. Mongabay, 2019. Accessed online 8/5/2025.  https://news.mongabay.com/2019/07/la-mosquitia-dangerous-territory-for-scarlet-macaws-in-honduras/
• IUCN SSC Wild Parrot Specialst Group. Accessed online 8/5/2025. https://iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-ssc-wild-parrot-specialist-group
• World Parrot Trust. Macaw Species. Accessed online 8/5/2025.
  https://parrots.org/parrot-type/macaws/
• Great Green Macaw, Ara ambiguus. eBird Online. Accessed online 8/5/2025.
  https://ebird.org/species/grgmac
• Starkey, S. 2010. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) - Veterinary Partner - VIN. Veterinarypartner.vin.com. Accessed online 8/5/25.
  https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102911&id=4952964
• Greenacre, C. 2017. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease-Bird. Avian and Exotic Animal Dermatology.

“I am very honored to participate as the DMAM [Día Mundial de las Aves Migratorias or World Migratory Bird Day] artist of the year. I love birds, nature and art, so I am very pleased to be able to collaborate with such important initiatives for the conservation of birds.”- World Migratory Bird Day 2025 Artist, Annamaria Savarino Drago

Here in the Americas, we are celebrating the annual journey of migratory birds north to their summer breeding grounds. Migratory bird day is celebrated twice yearly - once in spring, when a large  number of birds migrate north, and then again in October, when the majority of birds are arriving back in their overwintering grounds to the south. Our continents and countries are more interconnected than ever-  and the importance of all migratory, breeding, and overwintering grounds to our shared bird species cannot be overstated. Over 340 species and 5 billion individuals regularly travel from North America to Latin America and the Caribbean each year. The American Bird Conservancy notes that a significant portion of these birds are at risk, with over a third suffering measurable population declines. Each stop in their journey matters, and by cooperating and collaborating, humans can help safeguard birds along the way. 

This year, World Migratory Bird Day and the Global Big Day of Birding, which is a citizen science initiative to count as many birds as possible across the globe, will both be held on May 10, 2025. Each year has a theme, and this year the focus is on urban ecology, and how we can create more bird-friendly spaces in our cities and communities. Between 100 million and 1 billion birds are killed by window strikes and collisions in cities in the United States annually, and an estimated 16 to 42 million birds are likewise killed each year in Canada. Domestic cats, concentrated in urban and suburban areas in the United States, are estimated to kill around 2.4 billion birds annually. If we think about these two challenges alone to breeding and migrating bird populations, it is easy to understand why so many species are in decline. 

So - can you pledge to do something positive for wild birds in your area this year? Help convince a neighbor to build a catio for their cats’ safety and the safety of wildlife in your area? Help promote “lights off” and light-dimming initiatives in cities, which are most crucial at peak migration traffic times for birds from April to late May in the USA? Supporting local wildlife rehabbers who might get more complex cases (window hit/etc.) during the migratory seasons?

We all have a role to play in safeguarding these shared national treasures: all the birds that brighten our days in all the outdoor spaces we know and love. All the birds that connect us across continents, who inspire our love for the natural world and ignite our imaginations. 

American woodcock (Scolopax minor), a charismatic migratory species spending time in Bryant Park in downtown New York City. Photo credit: Dalton Rasmussen via Shutterstock.

Look up World Migratory Bird Day Events in your Area

World Migratory Bird Day events take place throughout the year and range from bird walks to educational workshops and festivals. Click here to see highlights of upcoming webinars and other virtual events, and follow the links below to see what’s happening in your area and to register your own event, program, or activity.  

Taken from the Migratory Bird Day Initiative Conservation Theme page for 2025: 

More than half of the world’s population currently lives in cities, a figure projected to double in the next 25 years. As communities expand, migratory birds face growing challenges. Native habitats shrink, noise and light pollution escalate, and domestic pets disturb and prey on a variety of species. We can all take steps to protect migratory birds that visit our communities—whether they are nesting, overwintering, or stopping to rest and refuel along their incredible journeys. This year, World Migratory Bird Day highlights seven simple actions you can take to create bird-friendly spaces where we live. 

1. Plant native: The plants native to your community provide the food and shelter birds need. Remove invasive plants that can take over. 

2. Dim the lights at night: The glow from our communities and homes may disrupt their cycle of rest, alter their migration, and impact breeding. 

3. Make windows visible: Birds don’t recognize plane glass and may collide with windows. 

4. Protect insects: 95% of birds depend on insects at some time during their life cycle. Avoid using pesticides and other chemicals that contribute to the declining numbers of butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects.

5. Restrain your pets: We love our pets, but free roaming cats and dogs can disturb and even kill birds. Provide a catio, leash your pets, and provide them with entertainment indoors. 

6. Be the solution to plastic pollution: Say “no” to plastics by reusing shopping bags, avoiding single-use plastic bottles and utensils, and purchasing non-plastic toys and decorations. 

7. Purchase sustainable foods: Shade-grown coffee and chocolate protect tropical agroforests that include native tree diversity, tree canopy, and reduced pollution that supports migratory birds where they winter. You may consider other actions that are particular to the protection of birds in your community.

Join the Big Day of Birding May 10, 2025 - With Groups, Friends, or Solo!

Download Merlin, eBird, and BirdNet applications to better identify and log birds in your area!

Learn more about birding technology for your smartphone here. 

The global big day of birding is an annual event where birders worldwide document as many bird species as possible in a single day. This data helps scientists track bird populations, migration patterns, and identify areas in need of conservation. Anyone can be involved in this massive data collection event! Just download eBird, join an event, pick up your binoculars, or even count the birds in your backyard! 

Do you live in a large city in the United States? Is your city an Urban Bird Treaty City? 

Learn more about this awesome urban ecology initiative! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Urban Bird Treaty (UBT) Program supports public-private partnerships in U.S. cities that are conserving birds and their habitats by collaborating with local communities on a wide range of conservation, science, education, and recreational activities. By carrying out community-based conservation solutions, UBT partners are making their urban areas more healthy, beautiful, and bird-friendly. 

Bonus-Conservation Legislative Action

There are additional ways you can help protect birds in the United States this spring. The current governmental administration in the United States is aiming to change the definition of “harm” in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This comes in addition to revoking protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that prevent companies and corporations from killing migratory birds (called Incidental Take- please visit previous conservation note blog posts and legislative committee blog posts on this topic). Harm will now only encompass companies and corporations directly killing individuals, not destroying the habitats they rely on. This is an attempt to expand logging, mining, and other disruptive extractive activities within the states in sensitive habitats that previously have been safeguarded under the ESA. There is an open comment period on the proposed rule, and anyone can submit a comment. 

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Comment today. Instructions for making comments by May 19 are listed here.

Speak up for birds! Get out and appreciate them in their irreplaceable habitats! Inspire your friends and family to care about and appreciate all we have around us! 

Birds are a wonderful way to stay connected with nature around us, and appreciate the interconnectivity of our world. Happy birding to all. 

 

Pictured left: United States Department of Agriculture, Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, Washington, D.C, on May 26, 2017. USDA photo by Lance Cheung. Public Domain Access. Pictured right: A large group of waterfowl takes flight from the Lake Andes Wetland Management District in South Dakota. (Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).”

What do you, as an avian veterinarian, know about the ins and outs of the government’s role in animal health in your country?

If you are a veterinarian in the United States, you may be concerned about recent governmental restructuring and what it may mean for avian health. For the future of our country’s mitigation of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) pandemic, it is crucial that veterinarians and scientists remain funded for disease monitoring and biosecurity efforts, such as ongoing vaccine testing and development. For our international members, knowing how your government is tracking major wildlife diseases (HPAI and others) that may impact your practice is important.

At the end of 2024, there were over 3,200 veterinarians employed by the United States federal government. Most of these veterinarians work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (henceforth referred to as USDA-APHIS). Other large federal agencies that employ veterinarians include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). USDA-APHIS is the primary veterinary regulatory agency in our country, ensuring that veterinary vaccines, antisera, and diagnostic test kits go through rigorous scientific and quality standards for function and use. USDA-APHIS is in charge of monitoring all agricultural imports and exports for pathogens, as well as ensuring that our food, building materials, and plants do not pose a threat to human or animal life. They are crucial not only to the function of our profession, but to the existence and welfare of the people in our country and abroad who are consuming our exports.

The FDA also plays an important role in animal drug testing and research. The Center for Veterinary Medicine within the FDA deals with minor species such as exotic companion animals including birds, turkeys, less common ruminant patients, and fish (Office of Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Drug Development, or OMUMS for short), which are extremely pertinent to the AAV. Veterinary drug companies must comply with the Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation (ONADE) and prove ongoing drug efficacy periodically with the Office of Surveillance and Compliance (OS&C). These safety measures ensure that the medications we are treating our patients with are safe and effective, and are necessary to ensure livestock, companion animal, and even wild animal health.

As many of you are aware, there has been detection of the current HPAI strain in dairy cattle and people who work with them, with additional spillover of the disease into domestic cats and other mammals. Raw pet foods in the United States have posed an additional threat and route for domestic animals to become infected. Knowing how to advise your clients on both their bird and non-bird domestic animals is crucial.

You can learn more at the AAV Avian Influenza Center online, or the American Veterinary Medical Association’s online Avian Influenza education center.

Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, 2021-2025. By National Wildlife Health Center (USGS). Public Domain. Posted 10 February 2025.

The current strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in North American wild birds in December 2021. Since that time, HPAI H5/H5N1 has been detected across thousands of birds of over 160 North American wild species, and over 400 individuals of approximately 20 wild mammal species. Confirmed detections in wild birds, mammals, poultry, and livestock in the United States are reported by several different academic and governmental organizations online, primarily by the USDA-APHIS, the United States Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center (USGS NWHC), and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Independent organizations, such as wildlife clinics – some staffed by AAV members – veterinary schools, and pathology centers that collaborate with their states (such as the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System in California, or the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study in Georgia) also send reports to USFWS and USGS. Public health departments in several states also report positive cases and can help track human contacts, which is becoming increasingly important as more human cases are reported in dairy and poultry workers in the USA (70 cases and 1 death reported so far). USDA-APHIS also has under their umbrella the National Veterinary Service Laboratories in charge of foreign and domestic animal disease reporting, which report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Coordinating reporting across all states and organizational levels is daunting; providing accurate and up-to-date information on cases is an ongoing challenge to all involved. State or local funding changes can hinder testing availability, thus changing reported positive case numbers for a locale or a season. Hunting seasons and times where larger numbers of people are in more contact with wild birds may show increased positive case reporting. Migration in the spring and fall, and winter following fall migration, are generally when most positive cases occur in wildlife centers. This is because different species are sharing migratory habitat, overwintering together, and co-mingling, resulting in increased spread of infection.

Multi-agency responses can improve our ability to detect and track disease. When faced with possible existential threats to irreplaceable wildlife species, ecosystem stability and diversity, and food security in the case of the poultry industry, veterinarians need to have secure and consistent funding for their important work. Conservation of wild bird species cannot occur successfully without security to the ecosystems that support them, as well as the people who share their environments.

If you wish to learn more about how to get involved with legislation and governmental efforts to protect avian and human health, register for AAV’s upcoming Legislative Webinar March 15th at 11am EST. The Conservation Committee will be co-hosting this event with the Legislative Committee.    REGISTER NOW

References

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Accessed online 20 February 2025 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/veterinary-services

National Veterinary Service Laboratories, USDA-APHIS. Accessed online 23 February 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/labs/about-nvsl

United States Geological Survey: National Wildlife Health Center. Accessed online 20 February 2025. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/avian-influenza-surveillance

United States Fish and Wildlife Service Avian Influenza Monitoring. Accessed online 20 February 2025. https://www.fws.gov/avian-influenza

Food and Drug Administration: Federal Veterinarians At Work. Accessed online 20 Feb 2025

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/federal-veterinarians-work

Centers for Disease Control. Accessed online 20 Feb 2025.

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html

North American wetlands are a sight to behold, with their crystal water reflecting the sun’s rays and the vibrant fish swimming beneath. The woven nests of pied-billed grebes, adorned with the leaves of lush cattails, deep blue wild iris, and brilliant yellow marsh marigolds, add to the beauty of these water-dominated landscapes. Despite their poor, oxygen-starved soils and highly variable conditions, these incredible ecosystems support more than 40% of the world’s biodiversity. Embark on a journey to explore the wetlands of North America, from the saltwater mangroves of the Gulf Coast to the interdunal wetlands of the Door Peninsula and witness the unique bird species that depend on them.

Gulf Coast Mangroves

We begin amongst the mangroves of the Gulf Coast. A mangrove is one of many species of trees specially adapted to live within coastal intertidal zones, the area between the lowest and highest tides. The intertidal zone can be covered in freshwater, saltwater, or a mix at any time. It can also be ten or more feet deep or completely dry, sometimes even on the same day. These drastic changes mean the mangroves provide stable shelter to numerous species wishing to call the coastal intertidal zone home.

One such species, the roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), can be found along the coasts of Florida and Louisiana in the United States. Its range once stretched along the entire gulf but was decimated by feather hunters in the early 1900s. It has stunning plumage, with a bright pink body, brilliant red along its wings, and an orange tail. Its most striking feature, and the reason for its name, is its spoon-shaped bill. This bill allows it to feed via “tactolocation,” where it slowly walks through the water, swinging its head back and forth, mouth open until it feels its favorite food (typically small fish or invertebrates) and snatches it out of the water. Essential locations protect many roseate spoonbill breeding sites, including Everglades National Park, the Kennedy Space Center, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. However, coastal development remains a significant threat as the spoonbills must forage beyond their nesting sites. This can be seen in the Florida Keys, where large developments have removed the mangroves and physically pushed the spoonbills to forage in new locations. Coastal development has also directly resulted in decreased water quality that impacts the fish and invertebrates on which the spoonbills depend. It’s crucial to recognize the importance of conserving fragile mangrove habitats to safeguard diverse and unique species like the roseate spoonbill for the benefit of future generations.

Cache River Wetlands

Next, we will stop within the Cache River Wetlands, one of 41 North American sites recognized as internationally important by the International Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar). This area supports a network of cypress-tupelo swamps. These beautiful ecosystems bring alligators and mosquitos to mind rather than the corn and soybeans one typically pictures when thinking of Illinois.

Along the edges of these swamps, where murky water gives way to rich, damp, worm-filled soils, lives one of North America’s strangest birds: the American woodcock (Scolopax minor). A member of the sandpiper family, this bird frequents swamp edges, damp forests, and other locations with soft soils perfect for digging up their favorite food: earthworms. Their long, thick beaks pierce through the soil, probing for worms. Their tilted eyes, located so far back on their head that they are behind their ears, allow them to see the sky even when their beak is buried in the ground. Adding to their uniqueness is their buzzing call, described as “bzeep”, which can be heard emanating from the darkness of night as they perform their courtship rituals. All these traits have spurred the creation of a colorful host of names, including bog sucker, night partridge, and timberdoodle.

Great Lakes

Farther north, we can find the Great Lakes, one of Earth’s most incredible freshwater ecosystems. These lakes make up 1/5 of Earth’s freshwater and hold more than six quadrillion gallons. Tucked along the western edge of Lake Michigan sits the coastal wetlands of the Door Peninsula, another Ramsar recognized location. These wetlands, called interdunal wetlands or dune slacks, are some of the most unique wetlands in the world. Coastal dune systems are shifting ecosystems defined by the movements of wind and water. Interdunal wetlands are created when strong coastal winds carve out sand to a point below the water table, allowing water to well up to the surface. Much like the dunes that surround them, interdunal wetlands change from day to day, decade to decade, and century to century as the dunes cover them, only to reveal them again in the future.

This pristine ecosystem provides the perfect habitat for the osprey, a widely admired raptor whose diet consists mainly of fish. Osprey populations rapidly declined from the 1950s through the 1970s due to the widespread use of the chemical pesticide DDT, which caused the thinning and weakening of bird eggshells. Studies of osprey provided the crucial evidence needed to enact bans against DDT, allowing bird populations across the country to begin to recover. More recently, habitat and nesting-site loss have impeded the osprey’s recovery, but the increasing popularity of artificial nesting platforms and the osprey’s preference for these platforms over other natural sites has allowed them to thrive once again.

Conserve Wetlands

From the mangroves of the Gulf Coast to the cypress-tupelo swamps of the Cache River Wetlands and the interdunal wetlands of the Door Peninsula, North America’s wetlands offer a diverse array of habitats for unique bird species. These wetlands not only provide a home for these remarkable bird species but also contribute to the rich biodiversity of North America’s landscapes, making their conservation imperative for generations to come.

Learn more about wetlands and organizations conserving them in North America and beyond:

●      U.S. Department of the Interior “Interior Department Announces More Than $87 Million for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges”. May 2024. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-more-87-million-wetland-conservation-projects-and

●      United States Fish and Wildlife:North American Wetlands Conservation Act https://www.fws.gov/program/north-american-wetlands-conservation

●      North American Waterfowl Management Plan: Impacts of The North American Wetlands Conservation Act.  https://nawmp.org/node/294

●      U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership https://www.shorebirdplan.org/

●      Birdlife International. The Flyways Concept: Global Migratory Conservation https://datazone.birdlife.org/sowb/casestudy/the-flyways-concept-can-help-coordinate-global-efforts-to-conserve-migratory-birds

Every fall and spring, hundreds of species of birds use a system of “flyways” to migrate according to the seasons. A flyway is an intricate pathway connecting all the regions birds use, including breeding, non-breeding, and staging areas. The American flyways can be roughly broken up into four distinct regions: the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, the Central Flyway, and the Pacific Flyway. Flyways are complex and their borders are often hard to outline (parts of all the American flyways converge in Panama), but the birds that use them travel astonishing distances each year as part of their fascinating life cycles. Explore the flyways below and meet some of the charismatic species that use them!

The Atlantic Flyway

The Atlantic Flyway extends across the Eastern seaboard and contains iconic locations such as Chesapeake Bay, the Florida Everglades, and the Caribbean islands. The ecosystems in this flyway are incredibly diverse. From broadleaf forests and shrublands to coastal salt marshes, birds of all kinds depend on the natural resources across the region.

Adult piping plover, Image Retrieved via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons with Attribution

Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are regionally threatened or endangered and live on beaches, flats, and sandbars in coastal, Great Lakes, and Mississippi river waters. They are exclusively found in North America and are subject to the pressures of habitat loss and human disturbance. The birds are shy, preferring natural beaches without humans nearby. Conservation efforts have focused on protecting existing habitat and creating new habitat by dividing beaches to foster quieter, undisturbed habitat while still preserving recreational opportunities for people. As of 2020, their population numbers have been increasing. A pair actually nested on Montrose Beach in Chicago in 2019, the first time a nesting pair was seen in the area in half a century, and three birds were recently released by the Fish and Wildlife Service on that same beach this past July 2023. 

The Mississippi Flyway

The Mississippi flyway follows the Mississippi river from its headwaters in Minnesota to its outlet into the Gulf of Mexico and across the gulf into South America. The migrating birds depend on the many prairies, wetlands, and forests found in the Mississippi river basin. The topography of this region is so flat that migrating birds do not need to adjust their height or direction to avoid geographical features like they do in the other flyways. 

Adult whooping crane, Image Retrieved via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons with Attribution

The endangered whooping crane (Grus americana) utilizes the Mississippi flyway to travel from nesting grounds in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and other Midwest states south to wintering grounds in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. The population reached a low of 15 individuals in 1942 and was estimated to be between 50 and 249 mature individuals in 2020. Migration patterns are a learned behavior in this species, posing unique challenges when trying to create new populations. To counteract this, researchers trained young cranes to follow an ultralight aircraft which was then flown across the United States from Ontario and Wisconsin down to wintering sites in Florida.

The Central Flyway

This flyway stretches from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico and connects the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest deserts, the great plains, and countless wetlands, grasslands, highlands, and desert ecosystems. The topography and varying climate causes migratory birds to take less direct routes to avoid the more inhospitable areas. 

Adult yellow-billed cuckoo, Image Retrieved via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons with Attribution

When they hear the word “cuckoo” most people think of the European cuckoo, which is famously featured in cuckoo clocks made in the Black Forest region of Germany, but the cuckoo family of birds has members residing across the world, including North America. The yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) can be found across much of the central and eastern parts of the United States, preferring riparian habitats (the edges of rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water). Cuckoos are known for their strange and diverse calls, and the yellow-billed is no exception with at least six defined vocalizations including coos, knocks, kawlps, and croaks. Yellow-billed cuckoos are currently listed as a species of least concern but have been experiencing decline over the past few decades and are considered endangered in certain states. They have mostly disappeared from the westernmost states of the central flyway, as droughts and the building and use of dams have greatly degraded the available riparian habitat. 

The Pacific Flyway

The Pacific Flyway includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii and supports the migration of more than a billion birds across rainforests, coastal marshes, scrublands, deserts, mountains, and more. A larger network of state and federally protected lands in this region also provides more habitat for these species, lending to the abundance of wildlife seen throughout.

Juvenile yellow-billed loon – Image Retrieved via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons with Attribution

The yellow-billed loon (Gavia adamsii) is the largest member of the loon family which also includes the common loon, a rare but exciting visitor to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. Yellow-billed loons spend their summers in the high arctic tundra, fishing and breeding on the pristine lakes and rivers found throughout. They winter along the southern coast of Alaska and, rarely, along Washington, Oregon, and California. This species is extremely susceptible to pollution from oil and gas drilling and transport, as they depend on clean water and abundant sources of fish.

Loons have solid bones just like penguins and ostriches, but, unlike penguins and ostriches, loons are still capable of flight. The solid bones greatly decrease their buoyancy and aid in swimming, making them some of the best diving birds on the planet. These solid bones also mean that loons are heavy and awkward out of the water. Unlike other waterfowl such as ducks, loons are only capable of taking off from and landing in water, as they need a long wind-up directly into the wind to gain the lift they need. The increase in paved surfaces and the heat mirages they generate means that loons often mistake roadways as waterways and land on them. Without any water, they are then unable to take off again.

Just like all life on Earth, the flyways that migratory birds use are complex, beautiful, and not-entirely understood. In time we will unlock the secrets of the flyways, but it is important that we also protect the birds who depend on them. If you are still curious or would like to learn more about the flyways, you can find more information on them at www.Audubon.org/birds/flyways. 

References

To better understand what “Conservation” is and how to protect avian species from extinction in their natural habitat, we need to understand the definition of “Conservation.” The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines conservation as the “careful maintenance and upkeep of a natural resource to prevent it from disappearing.” A natural resource is the physical supply of something that exists in nature, such as soil, water, air, plants, animals, and energy. Furthermore, there are different approaches to conservation, such as conservation from within a native habitat, or from outside a native habitat (sometimes even on a different continent). In-situ conservation means the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings. Ex-situ conservation means the conservation of viable populations of species and their diversity outside their natural habitats. Zoos, sanctuaries, and even commercial breeding operations claim that breeding animals contributes to their conservation. Sometimes, that claim is where the definition of conservation gets murky.

Despite their popularity and place in our recreational history, in recent years zoos have undergone considerable change in both their structure and function. While remaining attractive places of entertainment, the zoos of today should ideally be maximizing their contribution to wildlife conservation. Currently there are two organizations that have accreditation standards on how zoos help conserve species in the United States: The Association of Zoo and Aquariums and the Zoological Association of America. Both organizations support the development of multiple strategies for the conservation of species both in-situ and ex-situ. Accredited facilities must participate in and contribute to local, regional, and international wildlife conservation programs, and monitor the positive impact of those programs.

The problem with a facility claiming it contributes to “conservation” arises when private or roadside collections that are not accredited by these organizations pursue breeding programs for endangered or threatened species. There is little to no oversight of these particular breeding programs, their wildlife trade activities, and their “conservation” actions, and thus they are often granted exceptions to possess, sell, and breed animals despite their actions often directly harming the wild populations of these animals. The smuggling and trade of birds ranges from high-end collectors that use global networks to secure rare and exotic species to the unsuspecting bird lover – you or me – that buys a parrot as a pet or songbird in a cage, bred and sold between roadside facilities and pet stores or private collections.

The United Nations Wildlife Crime Report of 2024 reported that approximately 751 species of birds were recorded in seizures between 2015-2021. Most roadside zoos continue breeding practices and trade of endangered avian species under the guise of “conservation,” and often help supply the exotic pet market.

Responsible aviculture for conservation purposes promotes the breeding of specific species in captivity with the ultimate goal and hope of introducing them back into the wild. A successful aviculture program for conservation purposes must have a funded link to communities and groups working in-situ with species, often with direct funding or support of the conservation of those species’ habitats in the wild, and have goals for genetic diversity, sustainable breeding, and ways to raise those birds with wild behaviors, teaching them alongside others of their species to live in the wild.

The indiscriminate breeding of avian species in non-accredited facilities and roadside zoos does not help with the genetic diversity and viability of species to return back into the wild. Most avian species exhibited in these facilities live in substandard or unhealthful conditions, raising significant animal welfare concerns in addition to the direct harm to the species’ population. 

Roadside zoos are NOT “arks” that preserve species for the future. Most of them irresponsibly breed, trade, and illegally traffic avian species. The US Fish and Wildlife Services lists over 340 species of birds as endangered or threatened. Of those 340 species, about 10% are psittacine species kept in accredited and non-accredited zoos. The impact of the global trade on wild bird populations, particularly parrots, has been devastating. Today, nearly one-third of all parrot species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and collection.

 How can you help as an avian veterinarian:

• Support in-situ conservation, land trusts, and community projects for endangered species
• Educate avian owners about the legal trade of avian species and the drawbacks of the trade
• Familiarize yourself with the local, state, federal, and international regulations about wildlife trade
• Educate private owners and wildlife enthusiasts about the importance of in-situ and ex-situ conservation programs
• Donate to responsible organizations that help with conservation efforts, such as One Earth Conservation, Bird Life International, World Parrot Trust, and The National Audubon Society
  

REFERENCES

1. Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Volume 2. 2001
2. United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. World Wildlife Crime Report, 2024
3. www.audubon.org. Wildlife Trafficking Is the Biggest Threat to Birds on the 2016 IUCN Red List.
4. Nat. Resources & Env.; Ed. 16 (2008-2009). Wildlife Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Tackle a Global Crisis
5. www.aza.org
6. Guynup, S., Shepherd, C. R., &; Shepherd, L. (2020). The true costs of wildlife trafficking. Geo. J. Int'l Aff., 21, 28.
7. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Wildlife-Trafficking Bust Highlights Problems In Caged Bird Trade. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wildlife-trafficking-bust-highlights-problems-in-caged-bird-trade/
8. Bird Trade. https://awionline.org/content/bird-trade

Top: Shawnee Mission Park, photo from Johnson County Parks and Recreation Site, 2022. Lower left: Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua, site of one of the One Earth Conservation group Parrot Pilgrimages. Photo Credit One Earth Conservation. Lower right: a pair of Yellow-naped Amazons (Amazona auropalliata) wild in Ometepe on the 2023 parrot pilgrimage with One Earth Conservation. Photo credit: Kimberly Jacobs, DVM.

Being with Wild Birds: Conference Nature Walk, Parrot Pilgrimages, and Prothonotary Warblers

The conference is right around the corner!

Whether you are a first-time attendee or this is the third decade of your annual pilgrimage, choosing to spend time at the Association of Avian Veterinarians conference means that you have birds in your life, and that you’re seeking out ways to be better for those birds. We all have stories of inspiration and awe from the birds we have seen or worked with, and that draw is what brings our community together. This year, on behalf of the conservation committee and the whole AAV, I want to highlight some opportunities to be with birds in the wild - from flycatchers and warblers to Amazon parrots in their natural habitats.

Bird Walk in Shawnee Mission Park

Doctor and Reverend LoraKim Joyner and myself are going to be leading a bird walk in Shawnee Mission Park on Friday morning, June 28th (please see the full program for details). This trek allows us to kick off the conference with some joy, allowing us to experience new ecologies and spend time in nature with our colleagues. This year’s walk will be next to a lake, with possible chances to glimpse Scissor-tailed flycatchers (Tyrannus forficatus) and Prothonotary warblers (Protonotaria citrea), who may be more elusive as this is the nesting period. We will be graciously joined by leaders of the Burroughs Kansas City Audubon Society, including Mike and Elizabeth Stoakes, and there will be a bonus Zoom program on local research regarding the Prothonotary Warbler on Thursday, June 27th. If you are curious about songbird research and how to foster collaboration in the study of a species that migrates internationally, please join us for the talk! You do NOT have to be attending the conference to join this meeting, and there is no cost to attend! Registration details below.

Zoom Event: Prothonotary Warblers - Swamp Candles in the Midwest 

Presentation by: Ann Tanner, Kansas Master Naturalist and Board member of Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City.

When: Thursday, Jun 27 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Duration: 45-50 minutes

Program Description: Ann will give an overview of Prothonotary Warblers from a scientific and personal perspective. She will describe the birds’ population trends, range and migration pathways, and ongoing work by Master Naturalists and citizen scientists to install nest boxes in appropriate habitat in eastern Kansas.

We invite interested citizen scientists to join us in this work! The program will be loaded with photos and personal stories of interactions with these beautiful warblers. Ann will also detail plans to band and place nanotags on Prothonotary Warblers in 2024 by KSU researchers to track their migratory travels.

Please register in advance for this free event.

Register now at this link.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Photo credit:  Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), photo taken by Jamie Coe at the Prairie Garden Trust, 2020.

Transformative Parrot Conservation

LoraKim is this year’s AAV Keynote speaker, and will be discussing “Transformative Parrot Conservation” at 11:15am on Saturday June 29th.

If you, like many of us, are pondering your role in parrot welfare in and beyond the clinic, this talk is a must. Hand-in-hand with the sentiments of One Health, “transformative conservation” hopes to address the needs of all species, humans included, with those of our shared environments in a way that will build a more sustainable and just future for all. If you are feeling bogged down or apathetic in the face of political upheaval, societal systems failing people and animals, the tragedies of climate change and the threats humanity and animals face in a changing world, transformative conservation can be a path back to hope and action.

If you find yourself in need of inspiration, I highly recommend attending one of the One Earth Conservation Parrot Pilgrimages - where you can see dozens of species of wild parrots, not to mention many other birds, in their native habitats through the expert eyes of local community guides, biologists, and conservationists. Seeing these birds living freely and thriving, understanding the challenges they still face, and spending quality time with the incredible people who act as their guardians can transform you. If you can, consider joining this year in October (Guatemala) or December (Nicaragua)- these are transcendent experiences that can completely change the way you see and understand parrots and the world we all live in.

Whether it’s in Kansas City, over Zoom, or in Guatemala and Nicaragua, we hope to see you and the birds soon!

RESOURCES AND WEBSITES

• Association of Avian Veterinarians Annual Conference & Expo: FRIDAY, JUNE 28 - MONDAY, JULY 1, 2024. Full program details with bird walk information. Accessed online June 22 2024.
  https://www.aav.org/resource/resmgr/conference/2024_AAV_Conference_Program.pdf
  

• Burroughs Kansas City Audubon. Accessed online June 22 2024. https://burroughs.org/
  Shawnee Mission Park Map. Accessed online June 22 2024. https://jcprd.com/DocumentCenter/View/996/Shawnee-Mission-Park-Map-PDF
  

• One Earth Parrot Pilgrimage Details- Yellow-Naped Amazon, Amazona auropalliata: Nicaragua, December 13-17th 2024. Accessed online June 22 2024. https://www.oneearthconservation.org/parrot-pilgrimage-nicaragua
  

• One Earth Parrot Pilgrimage Details- Yellow-Naped Amazon, Amazona auropalliatal: Guatemala, October 31- November 3rd, 2024. Accessed online June 22 2024.
  https://www.oneearthconservation.org/parrot-pilgrimage-guatemala
  

• One Earth Parrot Pilgrimage- Adventure Travel With A Twist! Published May 24 2024.
  https://mailchi.mp/514fe6caa027/birds-are-everywhere-well-not-so-much-as-they-used-to-be-6302717?e=1c6986a2d2
  

• Transformative Conservation: One Earth. Accessed online June 22 2024.
  https://www.oneearthconservation.org/post/transformative-conservation

In 2004, the World Parrot Trust declared May 31st “World Parrot Day”. This year, to celebrate the incredible beauty, diversity, and ecological importance of parrots, specialists got together to announce the creation of the IUCN SSC Wild Parrot Specialist Group (WPaSG) this past World Parrot Day. The Association of Avian Veterinarians’ own Patricia Latas, DVM, MS, is one of the co-chairs of this newly founded group.

Parrots, encompassing nearly 400 species, are a remarkably diverse group but also one of the most endangered among birds. Currently, one in three parrot species is listed in the threatened categories (VU, EN, CR, EW) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This status is due to various threats, including extensive habitat loss and degradation, illegal and unsustainable wild bird trade, disease and zoo epidemics, invasive species, and heightened vulnerability to climate change, among other factors. Also, all but four species are currently listed on the different appendices of CITES due to the risk posed internationally by trade.

The newly created Wild Parrot Specialist Group includes members of the parrot conservation community around the world, uniquely situated to detect, monitor and manage, advise and inform decision-makers, funders, scientific communities and interested members of the public, communities, and other stakeholders about the perils impacting this taxonomic group world-wide. The term “wild” reflects the ultimate focus of the Group on the conservation of wild parrot populations but at the same time acknowledges the conservation potential of formal breeding programs and the benefits of the One Plan Approach to species conservation.

“Parrots are quite an important group of birds globally, but the SSC has not had a group devoted to it for a long time. I believe the newly established Wild Parrot Specialist Group offers a functional and efficient platform which is very much needed within the SSC” indicated Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.

By supporting conservation risk assessments for wild species and populations, prioritizing planning needs, initiating, enabling, and facilitating appropriate and inclusive conservation planning, as well as considering all available conservation tools to encourage and support conservation action in the Assess-Plan-Act cycle at all levels of participation, the Wild Parrot Specialist Group provides cohesive structure to address the many needs of parrots in peril.

Given the myriad of challenges and broad geographical distribution of these species, the newly established WPaSG is by necessity also broad-based, inclusive, and welcoming of a diversity of skills, experience and specialisation.

As we celebrate World Parrot Day, the newly established WPaSG looks forward with great optimism to facilitating and implementing a coordinated response to the complex and multifaceted challenges that parrots face through creating synergy between the various institutions and subject matter experts working to protect parrot populations in the wild.

For more information about the newly hatched Specialist Group, kindly contact the Co-Chairs, Patricia Latas and José Antonio Díaz Luque at wpasg.info@gmail.com.

Photo credit: Mary Peterson, USFWS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As one of the original inhabitants of the south and central Florida prairie grasslands, the tiny Florida Grasshopper Sparrow blends into the surrounding flora with almost no evidence of its presence except for its shrill call, which is characteristic of the peaceful sounds of a wild untouched Florida grassland. 

Unfortunately, as has happened with so many of our native species, these small birds—once abundant throughout this ecosystem, and found only in Florida—have faced the pressure of anthropogenic disturbance over the past few decades.

As a result, by 2017 the grasshopper sparrow had dwindled to a terrifying population  number of only 15 breeding pairs. The reason? Not surprisingly, loss of habitat due to urban development and the conversion of grassland prairie to cultivated grazing and agricultural land was mostly to blame. It would take a village to prevent this little bird, so close to the fate of the Seaside Dusky Sparrow, gone for 34 years now from our landscape, from also disappearing. Dependent on undisturbed native grassland habitat for nesting and foraging, Grasshopper Sparrows build nests hidden in the grass, and forage on the ground for insects and seeds. With a reproductive success rate of just 11% due to periodic flooding, predation and other natural occurrences, adult population numbers need to remain stable for the  species to survive.

The Good News:

In 2016, collaboration between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, US Fish and  Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and White Oak Conservation  resulted in a conservation recovery and release program. This program was successful in releasing 500 captive bred Florida Grasshopper Sparrows in May of 2019 into protected habitat. In the following years, collaborative efforts documented not only the survival of the released birds but also their breeding success with native birds. From 2019 to 2021 there has been an 84% increase in population at the original release site. Additional conservation partners have since joined the team for the little sparrow, increasing collaboration and conservation power. In 2021, an additional 99 birds were released at a second site with similar success. In 2020, created from a personal land donation of 27,000 acres, the DeLuca Preserve of Osceola County was a huge boon to the recovering species and now holds the highest number of breeding Florida Grasshopper sparrows.

Although pulled from the very brink of extinction through an exceptional collaborative  effort, habitat preservation and nest protection remain critical for the sparrow’s continued survival. Reserving land for conservation either through conservation easements, gift donations, or state protection has proven to be a very effective way to provide wildlife like the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow with essential habitat. In this way we can ensure that our little Florida sparrow continues contributing to the peaceful sounds of the wild Florida prairies for years to come.

RESOURCES AND DONATION OPTIONS

Photo credits: Left: Mourning warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) with insect prey. Photographer Jay Pitocchelli. Pitocchelli, J. (2020). Version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Right: Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) capturing insect prey. Carl Jackson, Carl Jackson Photography. Webpage: https://www.morebetterbirds.com/

Get out there and enjoy the birds on the Global Big Day of Birding on World Migratory Bird Day! Visit EBIRD and Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn how to participate in a birding event and Citizen Science Project near you.

Spring is arriving in the northern half of the Americas, and with it, the joys and wonders of the return of familiar migrant bird species.  World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US (May 11th in 2024), and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (October 12nd in 2024). Each year has a conservation theme, and this year, we are celebrating the importance of insect population health to migrating bird species.

Why insects? Many migratory avian species rely heavily on invertebrate population density and emergence (time they hatch or come out of stasis or “hibernation” in the spring) for fuel in their migrations. In a world where climate change, the use of pesticides, light pollution, vehicle mortality on highways, and habitat loss are altering invertebrate populations, it is important to understand the connection with birds: less food means a less successful migration. A loss of available insects can lead to increased mortality, weakened immune function, and reduced reproductive fitness of individuals- meaning fewer adults producing fewer babies each year. The opposite direction of the bird-invertebrate circle is also affected: birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, so fewer birds in the future can result in eventual overpopulation of certain kinds of insects. Outbreaks of insect populations that are out of balance in an altered ecosystem can damage plants and disrupt human agriculture.

Some specialized ornithologists, ecologists, and conservation biologists have chosen to study “aerial insectivore” foragers - a group of birds who are at high risk of population collapse. The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), migratory shorebirds like the Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), and the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) fall into this category.  Aerial insectivores – birds that catch insects on the wing – have declined by an estimated 59% since the 1970s in Canada and by about 32% across all of North America. This is one of the most severe declines in any group of birds, and translates into the loss of more than 160 million individual birds in less than 50 years across North America.

 A 2023 study led by Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and University of Alberta biologists studied the 10,000 kilometer migratory route of the Common Nighthawk with GPS trackers to better understand where they were facing their biggest challenges along their routes, so more effective conservation actions could be proposed. They found that all nighthawks across South America take the same route to wintering grounds and back to breeding grounds in North America- mostly crossing the gulf of Mexico, the northern Andean mountain range, and the Mississippi migration flyway to reach these two destinations. Understanding migratory connectivity for whole populations can lend key insights into what insect populations and habitat use areas matter the most to different birds.

Swallows and shorebirds like the Semipalmated Sandpiper rely heavily on weather pattern stability in their migratory routes- timing of snow melt, seasonal temperatures, and unseasonable rain patterns can make or break survival of adults and chicks alike. In Alaska, early spring arrival due to higher temperatures can mean early insect emergence, which is the primary food source for long-distance (4000km) migrant Semipalmated Sandpipers who need this boom to feed their chicks. Unfortunately, the species’ migration is triggered by day length, which is more fixed. Sandpipers are breeding too late for the insects, and populations are declining quickly due to the mismatch. Compounding impacts for both sandpipers and swallows, sensitive prairie habitat across central North American prairies from Iowa to Alberta have experienced a loss of insect populations due to neonicotinoid pesticide use. These stopovers on the prairie support a huge variety of migrating songbirds, shorebirds, and ducks. Applied as coatings on crop seeds, neonicotinoid pesticides are incorporated into the plant as they grow. Studies have found that the chemicals can stay in the soil, leaching into adjacent wetlands and further killing off invertebrate prey for dabbling ducks. New research on neonicotinoid contamination in shorebirds found that Semipalmated Sandpipers had some of the highest levels. It’s not yet known if these levels affect birds’ fitness directly, but studies have shown neonicotinoids can suppress birds’ appetites, which is critical during these refueling stopovers.

How You Can Help “Protect Insects to Protect Birds” Year-Round

Leave the leaves

Create a thriving ecosystem for insects and birds by leaving leaves in your garden or yard. The leaf litter acts as a natural shelter, food source, and breeding ground for various insect species. The decaying leaves also attract insects that are essential for insectivorous birds’ diets, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance. By refraining from raking leaves, you contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment for both insects and birds.

Pesticide Alternatives

Stop using pesticides and herbicides, which kill or harm insects - including pollinators like butterflies, birds, and the plants that many insects and other wildlife rely on for food. Alternatively, opt for organic products, targeted application, or integrated pest management systems that minimize negative impacts to insect populations and the birds and other species that depend on them.

Convert your lawn or part of your lawn

Convert your monoculture grass lawn (which has limited value for insect production) to a native plant garden. Aiming for 70% native plants is a good rule of thumb to benefit pollinators and other beneficial insects. Less lawn means less mowing with both time and money saved. A win-win for you and for wildlife!

Support pollinator-friendly initiatives

Advocate for and support local policies and initiatives that protect insects and their habitats. Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of over 85% of the world’s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. The United States alone grows more than 100 crops that either need or benefit from pollinators, and the economic value of these native pollinators is estimated at $3 billion per year in the U.S. Beyond agriculture, pollinators are keystone species in most terrestrial ecosystems. Fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of approximately 25% of all birds, and of many native mammals.

Unfortunately, in many places, the essential service of pollination is at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases. Follow the links below to learn more about these vital insects, the Xerces Society's pollinator conservation work, and how you can help.

Maintain and/or restore grassland ecosystems

Shorebirds migrating through the central U.S. rely on flooded fields for fuel and rest. If you or your family farms, encourage them to diversify crops, practice crop rotation, and employ organic farming techniques to reduce pesticide and herbicide treatments.

Maintain and/or restore water bodies

Clean water is essential to protect insectivorous aquatic communities and is also important for many waterbird species including shorebirds.

Choose Bird Friendly certified coffee and chocolate

Over 40% of the world’s coffee is farmed in full sun, despite coffee’s ability to thrive under a forest canopy. Bird Friendly certified coffee and cocoa ensures these plants are grown with a mix of foliage cover, tree height, and biodiversity creating quality habitat for birds and other wildlife. Bird Friendly coffee and cocoa is also organic! Look for the official "Bird Friendly" certification logo to know you’re getting coffee and chocolate that adheres to research-backed standards that conserve habitat and protect migratory birds.

Get out there and enjoy the birds on the Global Big Day of Birding on World Migratory Bird Day! Visit EBIRD and Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn how to participate in a Citizen Science Project near you.

REFERENCES

• World Migratory Bird Day in the Americas.  World Migratory Bird Day 2024: Protect Insects, Protect Birds. Accessed online May 01 2024.  https://www.migratorybirdday.org/
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service. World Migratory Bird Day 2024: Protect Insects, Protect Birds. Accessed online May 01 2024. https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-05/world-migratory-bird-day-2024-protect-insects-protect-birds
• Nebel, Silke. Birds Canada. A Roadmap to Rescuing Aerial Insectivores. Accessed online May 01 2024. https://www.birdscanada.org/a-roadmap-to-rescuing-aerial-insectivores
• Nestwatch. Help Track Avian Insectivores. Accessed online May 01 2024. https://nestwatch.org/connect/news/help-track-aerial-insectivores/
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Pollinator Conservation Program. Accessed online 01 May 2024.  https://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation
• Nature Canada. Research, Conservation and Outreach Priorities for Conserving Aerial Insectivore Populations in Canada. Accessed online May 01 2024. https://naturecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Aerial-Insectivore-Conservation-Priorities-Report-2020-full.pdf
• Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Mysteries of Common Nighthawk Migration Unlocked Using GPS Tracking. Accessed online May 01 2024. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/mysteries-common-nighthawk-migration-unlocked-using-gps-tracking
• AAV Conservation Note. The Link Between Invertebrate and Bird Health: How to Help In Your Own Front Yard. Accessed online 01 May 2024. https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1525799/384541/The-Link-Between-Invertebrate-and-Bird-Health--How-to-Help-In-Your-Own-Front-Yard

Art credit: Evanna Lai, 2023, Watercolour on paper

IUCN conservation status: Least Concern

Native range: Australia (arid/semi-arid woodlands: South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland)

Estimated global population: Unknown

The pink cockatoo, formerly known as Major Mitchell’s and Leadbeater’s cockatoo, face overall population decline in their native arid Australian habitats due to clearing of the woodlands they need to survive. Although listed as “Least Concern” in 2018 by the IUCN Red List,¹ more recent evaluations by the Australian government and the Australian Conservation Foundation suggest that populations are, in fact, threatened.²

One of the major challenges these birds face is the degradation of areas containing trees essential for their nesting sites. Pink cockatoos prefer the hollows of old-growth eucalyptus and cypress pines between 80-140 years old. Such trees are scarce outside of intact, mature woodlands, which are often fragmented or cleared due to climate change (and the resultant wildfires and droughts) and human agriculture.³ Moreover, these birds have an average of 30km² home range and dislike nesting in proximity to other breeding pairs. Their generation length is an estimated 21.9 years,^3,4 which amplifies the external threat of extinction.

Pink cockatoos mate for life, share parenting duties, and return to the same nesting site year after year. Their distinctive appearance and beauty have made them a widely-recognized and beloved representative of Australian bird life. Since 2023, awareness and efforts have increased within Australia to preserve their populations, but tackling climate change—one of the major underlying threats—requires a global collaborative effort.

Sources:

Art credit: Evanna Lai, 2024, Watercolour on paper

Tanimbar corella (Cacatua goffiniana)

IUCN conservation status: Near Threatened
Native range: Yamdena, Larat, Selaru (Tanimbar Islands archipelago, Indonesia)
Introduced populations: Kai Islands (Indonesia), Puerto Rico, Singapore
Estimated global population: 100,000-499,999

For the majority of North America, February is one of the coldest months of the year. This can take a toll on wintering songbird species, especially those who have moved their ranges further north in recent decades in response to warmer winter temperatures and fewer cold snaps. Notably, the gregarious Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) in the eastern US seems to suffer seasonal population decreases when weather gets bad. Many other birds are affected by unusually harsh weather this time of year: if you follow national news outlets, you may have heard about Dovekies (Alle alle) and other seabirds crashing ashore with strong storms along the coast from Maine to the Carolinas, or the devastation of the ice storms in Portland, Oregon this past month, resulting in extensive loss of trees that serve as overwintering homes for many native birds. 

Back in 1994, an Illinois Congressman passed a resolution to name February “National Wild Bird Feeding Month.” As avian vets and especially wildlife vets, you may cringe at this with thoughts of Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, poxvirus lesions, and salmonella plaques. It’s true that feeders can spread disease - from fungal overgrowth in hummingbird feeders to pond features next to domestic fowl being the perfect transmission setup for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, there is definitely worry to be had around the act of feeding wild birds. However, the connection that people can gain from feeder-watching is hard to deny: children and adults alike may form a stronger affinity for the well-being of birds when watching them up close. Some may argue that winter feeding is more beneficial to those species like the Carolina Wren and not as risky as feeding in the summer or during songbird breeding season in North America. So, if the act can’t be beat, how can you promote safe bird feeding in your clinic or your home this February and for the winters to come?

• Check out your local greenhouse’s native planting tips, and select plants and trees known to support birds through harsh winters. Berries, autumn plants that spend winter heavy with seeds, and even “unwanted” weeds such as poison ivy can be excellent native food for birds. No feeder needed! Audubon Society has a Native Plant Database for bird-friendly planting, and the “Audubon At Home” project aims to deepen people’s understanding of the ecology in their area to better support the birds that depend upon it. 

• Ensure that all feeders are far away from windows and preferably close to dense, bushy cover where they can escape if predators come near. Check out the American Bird Conservancy’s resources on window strikes and how to make your glass safer for birds.  If birds are hitting your windows or you notice that your neighborhood has domestic cats on the prowl, it may be worth figuring out alternative ways to connect with birds that do not endanger them as a yard feeder would. 

• Use high-quality, nutrient-dense foods for your backyard birds. Black-oil or hulled sunflower, Nyjer (thistle), and whole peanuts are most nutritious to seed eating birds. Mealworms are a favorite of bluebirds and are often coveted by wrens, and suet can attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, and many other birds. 
  

• Make sure to adhere to a strict cleaning schedule. Project Feederwatch has great tips on keeping all types of bird feeders clean, and advice on whether or not a bird bath is a good idea. 
  

• Join the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Annual Great Backyard Bird Count, February 16-19th 2024! Contribute to citizen science in your area and deepen your understanding of the birds who share their land with you. 
  

   

  Stay warm out there, and enjoy and support your native wildlife! 

   

RESOURCES

• Climate Change Indicators: Bird Wintering Ranges. Environmental Protection Agency of the U.S. Government. Accessed online 25 January 2024. https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-bird-wintering-ranges
  
  

• Sick Birds and Bird Diseases. Feederwatch. Accessed online 25 January 2024.
  https://feederwatch.org/learn/sick-birds-and-bird-diseases/
  
  

• Carolina Wren Overview. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds. Accessed online 25 January 2024. 
  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Carolina_Wren/overview
  
  

• “The storm swept a tiny, penguin-like bird to Vermont”. Author Lexi Krupp. 

  Maine Public Radio ww Online. Accessed online 25 January 2024. https://www.mainepublic.org/2023-12-22/the-storm-swept-a-tiny-penguin-like-bird-to-vermont-a-teenager-took-it-in

• The Truth About Birds and Glass Collisions. American Bird Conservancy. Accessed online 25 January 2024.
  https://abcbirds.org/blog/truth-about-birds-and-glass-collisions/
  
  

• Seven Ways to Make Your Home More Bird Friendly (Audubon at Home). Audubon Society. Accessed online January 25 2024. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/spring-2022/seven-ways-make-your-home-more-bird-friendly
  
  

• Great Backyard Bird Count 2024. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Accessed online 25 January 2024. https://www.birdcount.org/

The ray of hope shines. This story may have a happy ending: with a collaboration of many people, agencies and organizations, the youngsters have a chance of flying free; and if that is not possible, they will be provided a huge space for the 70 years of their life to enjoy each other as parrots with as little human interaction as possible. They have benefited from a web of interested and dedicated partners that have only one motive: give them the best, most "parroty" life possible. And to hope they might join and strengthen their flocks to re-parrot the wild so the world will always have wild parrots.

RESOURCES AND CITATIONS

1. UNEP, The rise of environmental crime: A growing threat to natural resources peace, development and security (2016), https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/7662/-The_rise_of_environmental_crime_A_growing_threat_to_natural_resources_peace%2c_development_and_security-2016environmental_crimes.pdf.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y.
2. Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, Catch me if you can: Legal challenges to illicit wildlife trafficking over the internet (2018), https://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Wingard-and-Pascual-Digital-Dangers-Catch-me-if-you-can-July-2018.pdf.
3. Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, Digitally enhanced responses: New horizons for combating online illegal wildlife trade (2018), https://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/TGIATOC-Digital-Responses-Report-WEB.pdf.
4. IFAW, Digital Markets: Wildlife Trafficking Hidden in Plain Sight. https://www.ifaw.org/resources/digital-markets-wildlife-trafficking-report (2021)
5. AZA Seizure Data Analysis, 2015–2019: https://wildlifetraffickingalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WTA_FWS-Seizures-Data_Final.pdf (2021)
6. https://cites.org/eng/news/Global_arrests_and_seizures_WCO-INTERPOL_Operation_Thunder_2021_strikes_wildlife_and_timber_trafficking_networks_30112021

Image credit: Patricia Latas, DVM, MS

“One shouldn’t differentiate between all that breathes [...]”. -Mohammad Saud, quoting his late mother in the documentary All That Breathes, which highlights his and his brother Nadeem Shehzad’s efforts to save thousands of Black Kites, Milvus migrans, and other birds in India’s highly polluted capital city. Photo of scene in the film from IMDb 2023.

For those AAV members who are film buffs or watched the Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars) in the USA this year, you may have been rooting for nominee film All That Breathes (2022). The film interweaves politics, pollution, and dogged devotion to rescuing birds, delivering a visceral and visually stunning tale about nurturing hope for the future in the face of severe adversity.

Environmentally-focused documentaries are becoming more common among Oscar winners, with titles like March of the Penguins (2005), An Inconvenient Truth (2006), The Cove (2009), and My Octopus Teacher (2020/2021) taking the award home in the last few decades. This shift may be a product of something that science educators and conservationists call “biophilia” - a term coined by biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson, defined as “a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature: a desire or tendency to commune with nature.” As humans live in a world increasingly considered separate from “wild” spaces, many people are searching for a deeper connection with nature. For those of us living in a globalized, modern world, with “westernized” sensibilities and social teachings, there is generally considered a divide between our species and nature that remains difficult to navigate. Films such as All That Breathes force us to acknowledge the interconnectedness of our species with others, and with the land that we all share.

Consumed on tablets, smartphones, television screens, and computers, media is now an active part of our everyday lives. Getting and keeping people’s attention, capturing hearts and minds, and figuring out how the media can change behaviors is the question on every business’s agenda these days. We’ve now witnessed over a decade of how drastically smartphone use and media consumption have shaped society - many times for the worse. But if a film can inspire a person, awaken them to the plight of the world and species around them, or act as a call to action for people, maybe we’ll be able to change our course for the better after all. Racing Extinction is a film with an explicit message that essentially boils down to just that: media is a tool that could help us force very necessary, ever-more-daunting societal change. Delivered plainly, All That Breathes doesn’t have to tell the viewer that humans will suffer and bring other species down with them if they continue on society’s current trajectory - it shows them. The film is a perfect encapsulation of how hurting nature hurts us, and how hurting others of our own species in violence or neglect hurts nature in turn. It demonstrates the concept of “One Health” better to the average viewer than any TED talk ever could.

If you are looking for a movie night for your AAV student chapter, for your fellow veterinarians, for your clinic, or for yourselves, check out these important documentaries and docuseries, and gain insight and inspiration to create positive change. As they say, there is no “Planet B” for birds, or for us.

• All That Breathes (2022)
• Parrot Confidential (2013)
• Pelican Dreams (2014)
• Racing Extinction (2015)
• Emptying the Skies (2013)
• March of the Penguins (2005)
• The Life of Birds (1998)

As an aside - have you or your clinic planned or pledged something to do for Earth Day, April 22, 2023? Visit Earthday.org to get ideas for events in your clinic or community,

Visit WILDLIFE RESCUE website, the official page of Nadeem and Saud, the Black Kite rescuers, to learn more about and support their efforts.

Photo taken at Concord, CA Trader Joe’s January 2023 by Nicole Becich, AAV Member. 

If you live in the USA, you likely have personal experience with the egg shortage and rise in egg and poultry product prices. By now, egg shelves here in California have started to look less bare, but I still hear people talking about egg prices or their own at-home hens’ production out and around town. The USDA actually has a “Chickens and Eggs” monthly census and statistics on how many layers are active across the nation, how many of those eggs are “table” eggs direct for consumption versus fertilized eggs used for more bird production, and how that production matches up against historic averages per bird. Layer production percentages have been trending downward in the past several months, and many people want to know why. Though Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been at the forefront of most people's minds, there are more aspects to the shortage than the HPAI pandemic alone - availability of waning grain stores for feed (some due to climate change and flood or drought decreasing crop yield, some due to supply chain breakdown) has also played a major role. 

There is valid concern amongst practitioners in wildlife, companion animal, backyard flock medicine, and food production that in the upcoming spring we will see an uptick in cases of HPAI and another hit to production animals nationwide. We started to see a little bit of relief in January of this year - cases were down significantly from 5.07 million birds reported affected at farms in December 2022 and 3.75 million affected in November 2022. Depopulation has taken over 44 million birds in the USA since spring 2022, causing a 7.5% decrease in the domestic egg supply from years prior based on numbers of layers alone. Replacing all these birds, according to the USDA, will result in a 4-5 month lag in productivity - hens need to establish at a new farm, and take about 4 months to reach peak production goals of 24 eggs a month. 

The CDC reports over 58 million poultry have been affected by HPAI in the USA as of this writing, and there have been nearly 7 thousand confirmed case reports of known affected wild birds. Additionally, state testing is often not reflective of the true affected numbers and mortality rates as funding and lab limitations hamper testing. A fear for conservation-minded folk and wildlife practitioners alike is that perceived danger to the poultry industry and food security may have a deleterious impact on wild birds. For instance, fear of exposure could prompt concerned poultry farmers to attempt to destroy or deter wildlife from their overwintering or migratory grounds or give rise to governmental restrictions on who is allowed to aid wild birds in the event of an outbreak. The U.K. and other European and Asian groups have been experiencing the fallout of these restrictions for the past two years. In the U.K., the Department for Environment, Food, & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been in charge of creating Avian Influenza Prevention Zones which limit governmental or private groups’ abilities to move birds (domestic or wild) for medical purposes such as rehabilitation. There are provisions in U.K. legislation for governmental assistance or permissions for intervention in cases of environmental disasters (such as oil spills), but with the looming influenza risk to the poultry industry, oil spill response may be prohibited or tightly controlled. The way that we see wildlife or companion poultry may also be affected by the ongoing fight against HPAI here in the USA in the future. 

Pandemics such as this and COVID really highlight the most crucial conflicts between humans and wildlife - large disease reservoirs in domestic poultry contribute to rapidly mutating viruses, which then threaten those same poultry as well as wild bird populations and biodiversity. In terms of food security globally, animal-derived protein plays no small role, with many low-income countries experiencing a heavy reliance on poultry protein (meat or eggs). The world is expected to hit a global human population of almost 9.7 billion by 2050, mostly occurring in those same low income countries. 2021 estimates note that 8.9% of the world’s human population is undernourished, and 750 million or more suffer daily food insecurity. Higher income countries have more than their fair share of animal-derived protein in their daily diet, as 22.9% of the dietary average amongst the top 10 most wealthy countries comes from animal protein; in lower income countries that percentage can drop to 5.7%. As lower income countries are expected to have the most growth in the coming decades, a higher demand for protein is only going to increase, meaning demands on the poultry industry are only going to rise. In the age of pandemics and questionably sustainable industrial practices, veterinarians are going to play a key role in devising safeguards and paths forward. Poultry and wildlife veterinarians are both key players in assessment of risk to human and avian life. 

Avian Influenza is not going away anytime soon, so being informed about its impacts and status is important for all of us - from pet owners, to flock keepers, to industry vets. We all play a role in the future of our food, of ourselves, and our planet’s wildlife. 

Sign up for EXOTICSCON 2023 in Boston, MA, where there will be several lectures about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: 

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Raptors 
• Quarantined Avian Influenza (HPAI H5) infected Emu Survives, Despite Previous Fulminant EEE Vaccine-induced Rhabdomyolysis
• Avian Influenza: Practical Ways to Protect the Backyard Flock
• Quarantine Procedures During a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak

RESOURCES

• World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) - Egg Prices On The Rise: The Affect of Animal Disease. Accessed online 23 February 2023. https://www.woah.org/en/egg-prices-on-the-rise-the-effects-of-animal-diseases/
• The OIE in conjunction with the World Health Organization to ensure food safety.  Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://www.woah.org/en/the-oie-alongside-who-to-ensure-food-safety/
• Our World in Data: Global Animal Protein Consumption. Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/animal-protein-consumption?country=GBR~USA~ESP~BRA~JPN~China+%28FAO%29~LKA~IND~BGD
• Global Burden of Animal Disease (OIE). Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://gbads.woah.org/
• Centers for Disease Control- Avian Influenza Report, United States of America. Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm
• AVMA - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://www.avma.org/avian-influenza-veterinarians
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Avian Influenza.  Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/our-history/
• Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)- United Kingdom. Avian Influenza Mitigation Strategy.  Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mitigation-strategy-for-avian-influenza-in-wild-birds-in-england-and-wales/mitigation-strategy-for-avian-influenza-in-wild-birds-in-england-and-wales
• British Veterinary Association - Avian Influenza Advice for vets dealing with wild birds and backyard poultry. Accessed online 23 February 2023. 
  https://www.bva.co.uk/media/4388/ai-guidance-for-vets-2021-final.pdf

Pictured: Two Javan kingfisher (Halcyon cyanoventris) perched on rotten wood in a bush. By I Wayan Sumatika | Adobe Stock. Poem: "Hope is a Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickenson

Winter solstice! We recently passed the longest night of the year here in the Northern/Western Hemispheres. This year, I am reflecting on the things that are important to me as the days turn back to light. For decades, more than anything else, birds have been a constant source of inspiration and hope that have driven me to keep learning, teaching, and trying to be a better human and protector of natural places. This holiday season and new year, we all need sources of inspiration and hope to keep our intellectual and emotional fires burning. I hope that something you’ve learned from a colleague or friend in the AAV can help you accomplish that same goal. 

Many people have opinions about how effective messages of hope are in the face of all that the world is up against these days. Climate change, consumerism, epidemics and pandemics plague us and the species we care about most - it’s easy to get cynical, burnt out, and discouraged. Great naturalists of our time, such as Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, and Edward O. Wilson have championed the notion that education, great messages of hope, and optimism are crucial in our shared fight to save natural places. Certainly, money, power, and legislation are the true forces of change in many of our modern cultures, but we don’t get people involved in those heavy-lifting activities without lighting their fires from within. I was gifted two books this holiday season, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Douglas Carlton Abrams and Jane Goodall, and An Immense World by Ed Yong - I hope to get to them soon to keep that fire burning for myself. As one of my favorite writers and ecologists Aldo Leopold once wrote- “... I have no hope for conservation born of fear.” And there is, unfortunately, a lot of loss of life, a lot of suffering, and a lot of scary things out there that are easy to fear. I was told by two of my greatest college mentors in my ecology program that to work in conservation, one has to have optimal ignorance (of the battles that we may lose, and the people who work hard against us), and terminal optimism to remain passionate in our efforts to help the world we live in and share. I hope to continue to take those messages to heart. 

I will leave you with a tale of wonder and myth from birds: have you ever heard the term “Halcyon”? Halcyon as an adjective “denotes a time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful” - but it has its roots in Greek mythology. It comes from an old love story between Ceyx, the Morning Star, and Halcyon, daughter of Aeolus, God of the Winds. After the death of Ceyx in the dark of winter, the gods transformed the two lovers into Kingfishers, to nest upon the sea at solstice each year. Sailors often thanked the “Halcyon” birds - which became mythical symbols in themselves - for peaceful waves and a calm, dark Aegean sea seven days before and after solstice, a respite from the typical harsh waters of winter. Halcyon is now an entire genus of kingfishers spread from Africa to Southeast Asia, including the strikingly colorful Javan Kingfisher, Halcyon cyanoventris. Many birds have stories like these to capture the imagination and inspire love and action to protect them. We can learn them, tell them, and take heart from the many ways birds ignite the human imagination and spirit. 

As the South African forest conservationist Baba Dioum stated, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught.” Keep teaching those around you to love the world and the birds in it. Messages of hope keep us warm in dark times. 

If you have a book you think your AAV colleagues would enjoy, a quote that would inspire, or photos of wildlife releases, amazing conference moments, or educational epiphanies that you could see changed those around you, post them to our social media (Facebook or Instagram) to share with other members in conjunction with this post or post as comments below this blog post. We can all always use good reminders of all the light in the world. 

Happy passing of the winter solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Cheers to the end of 2022 and all that 2023 could bring! 

Left: Fishing hook and line injury to the pouch of a Brown Pelican. Photo provided by Rebecca Duerr, DVM, MPVM, PhD. Center: Common loon radiograph with ingested fishing tackle and possible lead sinker. Right: Mark Porkas, DVM, performing a Common Loon necropsy. 

If you work at a wildlife center that sees aquatic and shorebirds, chances are you’ve had a patient come in with a fishing hook or line injury. You may also see birds that have ingested fish that have swallowed lead sinkers, or birds like the Common Loon (Gavia immer) who have ingested a dropped sinker while foraging for grit on a lake bottom. These patients are often critical, or in dire need of quick attention to prevent necrosis from constriction wounds, complicated abscesses in the beak, mouth or gastrointestinal tract, or in the case of lead toxicity, anemias, neurologic damage, and death. If you are interested in seeing case studies, the Wildlife Center of Virginia and International Bird Rescue have highlighted case archives on their websites. It is important as avian veterinarians that we are aware of the ideal approach to these complicated cases - when to go in for a coelomic procedure or when to push a hook out of an area percutaneously, when we can use a bird’s normal behaviors (like regurgitation of food) to help remove tackle or hooks, and what antibiotic and/or antifungal coverage these cases need while recovering.

There are many ways birds come into contact with active or abandoned fishing gear. Bait fish and lures are a tempting and flashy meal, but when fishers see that an animal they aren’t trying for is on the other end of the line (such as a bird or a turtle), they often end up cutting the line to leave the hook and the animal to its fate. Entangled parent birds that have come into contact with abandoned lines in trees or on the beach may unintentionally get their chicks stuck in line when trying to feed, or regurgitate hooked bait fish to the detriment and sometimes death of the chicks. Pelagic and shorebird species face other threats in the open ocean: deadly, abandoned commercial fishing debris are some of the most common types of ocean trash. The risks to birds trying to poach fish from commercial fishing vessels are also high; many commercial operations will cut birds off lines, or ignore important by-catch protection laws, which we discussed in a previous conservation note. Additional fishing industry threats to gregarious seabirds such as the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) may also include cleaned fish waste - in the age of climate change and overfishing, all birds are looking for a meal, and cleaned fish skeletons (or over-large “prey” species like tuna and salmon)  thrown overboard after cleaning pose a risk similar to that of fish hooks when ingested.

Fishing as a past-time and an industry in the United States is huge - in 2019, 1.2 million jobs in the USA were in commercial fishing, and 553,000 jobs were for recreational freshwater or saltwater fishing. Commercial fishing is a $165 billion industry in this country, and recreational fishing isn’t far behind with $89 billion annually in sales. In the USA, 52.4 million people participated in freshwater or saltwater fishing in 2020, and 44% of a surveyed population of those fishers reported that they are catch and release only - not using their catch for food. Freshwater fishing is the largest sector; 43 million participants take out fishing licenses in the USA each year, and most states do not have strong programs or laws surrounding use of lead tackle or disposal of fishing gear. It is easy to look at these numbers and understand why we have such a high morbidity of bird patients with fishing gear injuries, and it is unfortunately clear why fishing gear makes up an estimated 46% of debris in the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch."   

Slow-growing and slow-to-breed (“K-selected life history” or similar to K-selected) species like the Brown Pelican, who most often start breeding at age 3 to 5, or the Common Loon, who may start as late as age 6 to 7, are at high risk of severe population decline when the majority of individuals don’t make it to breeding age. If they’re lucky, though, these species are long-lived: banded Common Loons have been reported living into their late 30s, and the oldest known Brown Pelican is over 40 years old, which is a lot of potential breeding time if they make it to adulthood. These species have a high level of chick and juvenile mortality due to other threats like low food availability from overfishing or climate change, predation and competition from non-native species, habitat destruction, more insidious ecotoxins like mercury and pesticides, risks of climate change causing temperatures too high or too low during breeding season, and infectious disease - a risk when young pelicans or other shorebirds forage in trash areas or landfills when they can’t find food. Despite all their challenges, these incredible, beautiful birds are resilient when we provide even the smallest amount of risk mitigation - and we want to keep them around in the seas, lakes, and skies for generations.                                           

HOW CAN WE HELP?

RESOURCES

See the March/April 2021 Conservation Note by Dr.Patricia Latas - The Impact of High Volume Fishing on Seabird Welfare. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1525799/368323/The-Impact-of-High-Volume-Fishing-on-Seabird-Welfare?hhSearchTerms=%22fishing%22&terms=

Richardson, K. et. al.Global estimates of fishing gear lost to the ocean each year. 12 October 2022. Accessed online 20 November 2022.  SCIENCE Advances. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abq0135

Keep Getting the Lead Out - It’s the Law! New Hampshire Fish and Game. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/get-the-lead-out.html

Loons and Lead FAQ. Loon Preservation Committee. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://loon.org/loons-and-lead/faqs/

Where to Buy Lead-Free Tackle. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/where-to-buy-lead-free-tackle

Grade, T.J., Pokras, M.A., Laflamme, E.M., Vogel, H.S. Population-level effects of lead fishing tackle on common loons. Journal of Wildlife Management. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jwmg.21348

Fishing Tackle: Threats to Wildlife. Wildlife Center of Virginia. Accessed online 20 November 2022. https://www.wildlifecenter.org/fishing-tackle-threats-wildlife

Fish and Wildlife Issues Related to the Use of Lead Fishing Gear. Washington US Fish and Game.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/00037/wdfw00037.pdf

International Bird Rescue Archives - Fishing Gear Injuries.  Accessed online 20 November 2022. https://www.birdrescue.org/category/fishing-gear-injuries/

NEW RESEARCH: Fishing Gear Accounts for an Alarming Amount of Plastic Pollution in Oceans. The Nature Conservancy, University of California Santa Barbara. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/ca-ocean-plastic/

Great Pacific Garbage Patch. National Geographic Encyclopedic Entry. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-pacific-garbage-patch

Fisheries Economies of the United States of America. NOAA. Accessed online 20 November 2022.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/sustainable-fisheries/fisheries-economics-united-states

Since early 2022, the H5N1 (2.3.4.4.b type, Eurasian strain) of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been plaguing wild bird populations across North America. As of the end of this month, HPAI has been reported in 48 states - thankfully not yet threatening sensitive, endemic island species of Hawaii, and no known cases reported in West Virginia (though West Virginia University’s poultry science program has surveillance programs up and running). The arrival of fall migrants and overwintering species who may cause a new wave of infection, and centers remain vigilant across the USA. Mexico reported its first case of HPAI October 14th of this year in the Metepec region, which coincidentally is a huge migration flyway. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) issued an alert since early this year for countries in Central and South America. 

So far, the current wave of H5N1 HPAI outbreaks have been reported in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. There have been very few human cases reported, mostly in people in contact with infected poultry. There was a case in May 2022 in Colorado in the USA, and cases have been reported in Vietnam, China, and Spain. Beyond birds, wildlife rescue centers in the USA have been vigilant regarding neurologic and respiratory symptoms in mustelids, foxes and other canids, skunks, and many other predators and scavengers in the order carnivora, who have been found to be susceptible to infection after consuming infected meat. More recently, a bottlenose dolphin was found to be positive for HPAI during post-mortem testing by the University of Florida. We are still studying mammal species who may be at higher risk across North America. 

Major mortality events in European and Asian shorebird colonies, such as a die-off of over 5,000 Common Cranes in Israel, almost 600 Dalmatian Pelicans in Greece, thousands of Northern Gannets in Europe and Canada, an entire colony of Sandwich Terns in the Netherlands, and Great Skuas on St.Kilda in Scotland are concerning for the safety of sensitive seabird colonies worldwide. Nesting colonies in Maine, birds congregating at lakes across the midwest, and many other US populations of birds have also been hard-hit. A vulnerable population suffering from habitat loss, climate change, low food availability may be easily wiped out by an HPAI mortality event. High-density breeding and migration sites where several species share the same water sources and land are of particular risk for transmission. There is still little known about the spread of HPAI across Africa, but vulnerable species of flamingos and penguins are known to be susceptible. 

Many AAV members have worked in wildlife centers and even private clinics that are taking various precautions against its spread: this may include having volunteers who have poultry or other birds at home not enter the center or have strict protocols for biosecurity including clothing change, limiting car traffic near the entrance of a center (as feces containing virus can be tracked in on shoes or vehicles), and more than anything, establishing strong biosecurity protocols for triage and quarantine. After detection of the virus in the state or near a rescue center, zoo, or clinic, many centers limited avian and even some mammal species on admit to protect patients and individuals in their care. The AAV and several larger centers that work with species of concern such as the International Bird Rescue Center, Minnesota Wildlife Center, and the Minnesota Raptor Center have put together large resource and training centers for rehabilitators and other professionals with avian contact to educate about how to approach HPAI and keep patients and workers safe. Several centers reported success at preventing the spread of HPAI within their centers and collections at ExoticsCon 2022 with rigorous cleaning, triage, and quarantine protocols. 

If you are hoping to implement a surveillance or testing program with your clinic or center in the USA, check with USDA/APHIS and your state laboratory for availability of testing and make sure to report accordingly. The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association has cautioned against the in-house use of rapid antigen tests for detection of avian influenza in practice, as these tests have not been validated over a wide range of species, and a positive may have drastic quarantine or depopulation implications. USDA has a list of reported infected species: 

Waterfowl: Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Canada Goose, Tundra Swan, Trumpeter Swan (1 in Polk County, Wisconsin), Mute Swan (1 in Monroe County, Michigan), Black Swan, Wood Duck, Mallard, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, and Ruddy Duck (1 in Pamlico County, North Carolina). 

Shorebirds, gulls, wading birds: Sanderling, Ring-billed Gull (1 in Polk County, Florida), Herring Gull (1 in Erie County, Ohio), American White Pelican (1 in Clay County, Missouri), Brown Pelican, and Great Blue Heron (1 in Brevard County, Florida), Neotropical Cormorant (Eldorado Park, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Raptors and owls: Turkey Vulture (1 in Barnstable County, Massachusetts), Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk (1 in Dane County, Wisconsin), Red-shouldered Hawk (1 in Wake County, North Carolina), Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl (2 in Florida, 1 in Minnesota), and Snowy Owl (2 in Michigan, 1 in New Hampshire).

Don’t forget AAV’s HPAI resource center! 

AAV Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center 2022

As we move into a future in the Americas where this strain of HPAI is likely to become endemic, it is important as avian veterinarians that we all, wildlife, zoo, and exotic companion animal staff, understand the risks that this disease poses to our patients and take the appropriate steps to slow its spread and mitigate the risks. 

RESOURCES

Raptor Center- HPAI Research and Training Resources Page for Wildlife Rehabilitators

https://raptor.umn.edu/about-us/our-research/HPAI

https://umnadvet.instructure.com/courses/524

International Bird Rescue Center - Response to HPAI

https://www.birdrescue.org/ready-to-handle-the-threat-of-avian-flu-at-our-wildlife-centers/

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) - Position Statement on POC/Rapid Antigen Influenza Tests

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nwrawildlife.org/resource/resmgr/position_statements/NWRA_HPAI_antigen_test_state.pdf

FAO - Global and Central/South American Potential for Spread of Avian Influenza 

https://www.fao.org/animal-health/situation-updates/global-aiv-with-zoonotic-potential/en

https://www.fao.org/3/a0632s/a0632s03.pdf

USDA Wildlife Detections of HPAI Dashboard

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/stakeholder-messages/animal-health-news/hpai-wild-bird-dashboard

The avian and mammalian host range of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza- Kaplan, Webby 2013

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3922066/

USFW HPAI Information Updates and State Distribution List – Reported Cases in USA

https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/health/avian/influenza/

APHIS/USDA HPAI Information Center

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/emergency-management/hpai/fadprep-hpai

HPAI Outbreak Updates- Audubon Society

https://www.audubon.org/news/north-american-birds-face-their-own-pandemic-latest-bout-avian-flu

Mortalities of Shorebird Colonies with HPAI 2022- Portland Audubon Society

https://audubonportland.org/blog/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-qa/

USGS – North American Distribution of HPAI H5N1 Strain

https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/distribution-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-north-america-20212022

NATURE article October 2022: Avian Flu – An Avian Pandemic 

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03322-2

West Virginia University- Monitoring for HPAI Cases

https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/media-center-blog/2022/03/01/expert-pitch-wvu-expert-reminds-poultry-producers-of-biosecurity-importance-amid-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-outbreaks-in-other-states

Pictured Left: Trafficking within the USA- four of 23 confiscated Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot Chicks (Amazona ochrocephala) discovered in door panels of an automobile at approximately 2 weeks of age, in care and rehabilitation for return to the wild. Photo provided by an anonymous source (for legal and security reasons). Pictured Top Right: Blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) residing at Bioparque Amaru in Cuenca, Ecuador after confiscation from illegal wildlife trafficking. Image provided by Nicole Becich, DVM. Pictured Lower Right: Blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus) and Orange-winged amazon parrot (Amazona amazonica) confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. Cuenca, Ecuado. Image provided by Nicole Becich, DVM.

Last month’s Conservation Note was regarding both how captive wild avian species ownership can be helpful (and potentially harmful) to wild populations and what our role as avian veterinarians should be in guiding the perception of pet birds and their wild counterparts. Several AAV committee members have been diving further into this recently, as we have been called to discuss the recent Lacey Act Amendments in the USA, the new standards for care and welfare for avian species not used in research through the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act, and most recently, the World Wildlife Fund’s new initiative to create a framework for exotic pet owners (currently focusing on the USA and Japan) to evaluate their pets’ suitability for ownership. While the welfare concerns surrounding trafficked wildlife are clear-cut (exposure to disease, deplorable conditions that often result in the death of the animal, malnutrition, removal from natural habitat and bonded conspecifics, habitat loss, etc.), the line gets harder to draw when we consider the life of captive-wild species in the pet trade and beyond and what role we play for client-owned animals. 

So how would you help a client assess if their home is right for a pet bird? Beyond that, how do you ensure that the pet they choose does not come from a source that is known to import (legally or illegally) vulnerable, threatened, or endangered species from the wild? As we discussed last month, encouraging adoption or choosing a breeder that has several captive generations of birds is advisable, but as practitioners, we can’t always tell immediately when an animal has been wild-caught. Historically, a specific open leg band/ring is supposed to be placed on wild-caught parrots intended as pets, but this likely doesn’t occur. We assume rare and uncommon breeds are possibly wild caught as well. These and many more complex questions arise when we are trying to advise a client about choosing a bird, thus we must be educated on wild populations, endangered and threatened species, and as aware as possible of their status within avicultural circles in the USA and abroad, as well as their status in their native range.

An incredible resource to share with your clients regarding any animals they are looking to bring into their home is EMODE, a website specifically designed to “score” animals on their suitability as pets. The framework and questions proposed in EMODE help clients assess big-picture questions about their future pet. For instance, does a bird pose a disease risk to them? What does the animal need in its natural environment, and how hard is that to replicate in a private or captive setting? How hard will it be to get this animal veterinary care? Will the behavior of this animal suit your family’s lifestyle and expectations for the human-animal bond? Do you have other pets in the household that may stress this bird out, or not get along with this bird, or pose health risks to the bird? How long will this animal live? And most importantly for the purposes of our discussion, where does this animal come from, and what is the status of its population in the wild? Some may argue that EMODE is heavily weighted against keeping exotic pets in general, and the scoring of species and breeds may be a point to argue, but it does provide an excellent resource. Many of the questions presented in EMODE likely never cross a prospective or current bird owner’s mind, and may help guide them to a more appropriate companion choice.

Veterinarians are ideally situated to both initiate and guide these discussions with future and current pet bird owners. If you make your voice heard, you can make an impact at local pet stores, exotic pet expos, and even at local rescues and sanctuaries, and help educate your clients about the needs and origins of their animals. Creating an open and trusting discussion about welfare and conservation of pet bird species can enrich a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and result in a healthier patient and overall more suitable pet choice, improving the quality of life for the animal and the human-animal bond.

ExoticsCon Denver, CO | August 14-18th 2022

If you are looking to hear more about conservation and welfare of birds affected by trafficking and the pet trade, attend “Avian Victims: Welfare Considerations for Confiscated Birds“ on Tuesday, August 16th at ExoticsCon - hosted by AAV Welfare Committee’s co-chairs, Dr. Patricia Latas, DVM, MS, and Dr. Anthony Pilny, DVM, Dipl ABVP.

Additionally, if you are looking to make a more personal (and fun!) connection, consider joining us for an informal nature walk on Sunday, August 14th, at the Bluff Lake Nature Center Parking Lot, 7:40am, located at 11255 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238. We will be looking for native species and have several tips for identification during the walk. For any questions regarding these events, email Meetings@ExoticsCon.org or follow ExoticsCon activities on Facebook.

RESOURCES

Dr. Jesse Fallon conservation efforts (left), Veterinarian educating client (right).

The extinction of species is often related to habitat loss and degradation, wildlife trade, invasive species, and, in a growing number of cases, disease. Today 12% of bird species are threatened with extinction. That could potentially result in 12% fewer avian patients for veterinarians in private practice (companion, exotic, and poultry), rehabilitation centers, zoological institutions, government agencies, and nongovernment conservation organizations.

Have you ever taken time to contemplate your role as an avian clinician in conservation? Are you helping to preserve avian species, every time you see them at the clinic? Are you promoting avian adoption?

Conservation reflects a “state of harmony of man and the world he lives in.” It provides an understanding of man’s past and present roles on earth, which guides the future roles. The recreational uses of birds can enhance conservation by increasing understanding. Recreational uses of birds have the greatest value when they do not impact free-ranging bird populations.

The recreational use of birds as companion animals has had a deep and permanent effect on the population of many wild avian species. From a conservation perspective avian veterinarians should encourage clients to continue to buy domestically raised or ranched birds, or to adopt those birds who are in need of a new home. These two simple actions have huge benefits for avian conservation and welfare.

In addition, clients should be educated about the physical and emotional needs of their companion birds, thereby ensuring the health and welfare of the birds and increasing the involvement of the owners with their bird.

Wildlife trade represents one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. To control this practice, both international and national legislation has been adopted to regulate trapping and trade in wild animals. For parrots, one of the most traded bird orders, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has regulated their international legal trade since 1975. However, wildlife regulations within Neotropical countries vary widely and differ from the international ones. This complex legislative framework translates into a lack of knowledge on the legal status of this activity in many countries, including within the scientific community. This confusion may be increasing the conservation problems of many avian species.

The closure of importation of exotic birds to Europe and the United Sates has reduced the threat of wild harvest birds, but it still exists. At the same time thousands of birds are abandoned and placed in parrot or avian rescue organizations every year in the United States.

The most common reasons for abandonment are changes in lifestyle, the addition of a new child or spouse, and behavioral issues with the bird.

There are currently approximately 100 parrot rescue facilities in the United States; however, this number does not include the small rescue operators working out of their homes.

In 2000, the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) was founded to aid captive parrots and other birds exploited in the pet trade. The AWC has veterinarians whose goals are to increase public awareness about the issues of the captive birds, provide resources for sanctuaries, and place relinquished captive birds.

Pet bird ownership is both good and bad for avian conservation. Bird ownership is a good thing because pet owners are often champions for avifauna. Bird owners come to know and appreciate the wonders of birds through the relationship with their birds and often this translates to interest, concern, and sometimes action for wild species. At the same time, advocating pet bird ownership comes with important costs because it can promote the capture and trade of rare or threatened species.

Any person wanting a pet bird should be well-educated before purchasing it. Responsible pet bird ownership (i.e. choosing a captive reared non-threatened species) can foster a deep compassion for conservation of avian species.

As an AAV member and avian clinician what can we do:

• Be aware of the issues facing avian conservation and avian welfare
  
• Educate clients about wild-caught vs captive-bred pet birds
  
• Educate owners about avian welfare and behavior
  
• Promote avian adoption, there are thousands of birds in need of a new home
  
• Advocate and support legislation at the local, state and federal levels to prohibit the trade of wild free-range species.
  
• Help and volunteer your medical services for wildlife rehabilitation and avian rescue organizations
  
• Report to local, state, and federal authorities, anytime you suspect of any illegal trade activity
  

References:

• Sharon L. Deem, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACZM. The Role of Veterinarians in the Conservation of Avian Species. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 25(3):225-230. 2011
  
• K. Weston, M. A. Memon. The Illegal Parrot Trade in Latin America and its Consequences to Parrot Nutrition, Health and Conservation. Bird Populations 9:76-83. 2009
  
• Pedro Romero-Vidal, Martina Carrete, Fernando Hiral, Guillermo Blanco, José L. Tella. Confounding Rules Can Hinder Conservation: Disparities in Law Regulation on Domestic and International Parrot Trade within and among Neotropical Countries. Animals 2022, 12, 1244
  
• Sharman Hoppes, DVM, Dip. ABVP (Avian), Patricia Gray, DVM, MS. Parrot Rescue Organizations and Sanctuaries: A Growing Presence in 2010. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Vol 19, No 2 (April), 2010: pp 133–139
  
• Groskin, Robert. "Avian Conservation: The Veterinarian’s Role." RITCHIE, BW, HARRISON, GJ, HARRISON, LR Avian medicine: Principies and application. Flórida: Wingers Publishing, Inc (1994): 17-23.

Photo credit: ©️Omar Custodio – World Migratory Bird Day

This past Saturday, May 14th, was Migratory Bird Day in the Americas. Canadians and those of us in the USA celebrate on this date - whereas the date is celebrated on the 8th of October this year in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Each year has a theme to raise awareness of an issue that threatens birds as they migrate, and this year’s is light pollution. Birds migrating at night through urban and suburban areas are often confused and led astray following bright lights from communications towers, skyscrapers, and even residential lighting. This often leads to collisions with man-made structures that can prove fatal.

The easiest way to help migrants who struggle with light pollution: turn off lights at night! 

Many birds migrate almost exclusively at night. Artificial lights can confuse birds and increase the risk that they will fly into buildings at night. In your personal home or at your veterinary clinic, Audubon recommends these steps to help reduce risks:

• Turn off exterior decorative lighting,
• Extinguish pot and flood-lights,
• Substitute strobe lighting wherever possible,
• Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible,
• Turn off interior lighting especially on higher stories,
• Substitute task and area lighting for workers staying late or pull window coverings,
• Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible, and more.

Learn more at Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/project/lights-out

Every year, birders across the USA and Canada attend birding festivals to celebrate the arrival of important neotropical migrants - as well as the safe departure of many unique overwintering species. Some of these species that are “winter” visitors for the USA head further north into the nearctic region to breed for the “summer” in most of North America- species in this category include birds like the Lapland Longspur. More importantly to the issue of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, A-type avian influenza virus, strain H5N1) spreading across the USA since early 2022, migratory waterfowl move across the major flyways back to breeding habitat, which this year has meant the spread of disease. HPAI has a major effect on our agriculture and food production, our clinics, wildlife centers, and our clients and patients. Many state veterinarians and wildlife centers are urging people in 2022 to take down their bird feeders and bird baths in certain situations to help prevent possible HPAI spread. For example, if you own domestic poultry or any outdoor birds, have standing water or a pond on your property, regularly have waterfowl species or raptors who visit your property, or are in a state with an active HPAI outbreak, taking down your feeders is wise. The AAV has put together a resource page to educate AAV members, all veterinary workers, and clients about HPAI risks and how we can all help stop the spread. Visit and share, and make sure your clinic has a plan to keep your poultry, waterfowl, and all bird species safe. 

View Avian Influenza Resources Now

Resources

Migratory Bird Day 2022- Focus on Light Pollution
https://www.migratorybirdday.org/
https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

Live Bird Migration Maps
https://birdcast.info/

USDA APHIS Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza by State
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-wild-birds

USGS Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Distribution
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/distribution-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-north-america-20212022

Why Do Birds Migrate? Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-basics-how-why-and-where-of-bird-migration/

The Flyways - Migratory Bird Pathways in the Americas - Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org/birds/flyways

Pictured: Top: Ojai Raptor Center veterinarian Stephany Lewis performing a recheck on a Barn Owl (Tyto alba); Lower left: Gratuitous cute baby pic: Nest of American kestrels (Falco sparverius) at Ojai Raptor Center; Lower right: Ojai Raptor Center Veterinarian Stephany Lewis working on an anesthetized Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).  

Wildlife rehabilitation is the practice of providing responsible and professional care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing fully-recovered animals back to their native environment. The vast majority of animals presenting to wildlife rehabilitation centers have been negatively impacted by anthropogenic activities. Many presenting animals have experienced vehicle strikes, window strikes, or domestic cat attacks. They may have ingested lead, pesticides, or trash. Marine wildlife often ingest or become entangled in fishing lines, hooks, and lures, or contaminated by toxicants such as crude oil. Young animals are often inadvertently “kidnapped” by well-meaning citizens. As the human population continues to grow and urban sprawl extends its reach, the human-wildlife interface is expanding, and with it so has the demand for wildlife treatment facilities.

Wildlife rehabilitators provide a number of important services within their communities. Wildlife rehabilitation has the potential to improve the animal welfare of hundreds, thousands, and for larger centers, upwards of ten thousand animals each year. Due to very stringent release criteria and the advanced nature of many of the illnesses and injuries seen in the rehabilitation setting, more than half of animals presenting to rehab centers are not released. The humane euthanasia of animals unsuitable for release arguably makes the greatest impact on individual animal welfare. Without this service, animals with severe conditions would experience prolonged suffering and eventual death in the wild or in the hands of the public.

Removing wild animals from public possession not only improves animal welfare, but can have a positive impact on public health. Without the existence of licensed wildlife treatment centers, many benevolent but untrained citizens would attempt to care for wild animals in their own homes, potentially leading to public injuries, transmission of zoonotic diseases, or transmission of infectious diseases to and from domestic animals. Wildlife centers also have an important role in educating the community about the importance of conservation and how to peacefully coexist with their wild neighbors.

Wildlife centers can have significant impacts on conservation efforts when working with endangered and threatened species, or engaging in large-scale rescue efforts within a localized area, such as during an oil spill response. They can also contain a huge wealth of data that can contribute to biological and veterinary research. Wildlife rehabilitators are often the first to identify infectious disease outbreaks or toxins affecting wild populations and can alert governmental and regulating authorities. They can serve as influential voices for their patients while advocating for laws or public policy changes that affect wildlife and the environment.

There are many ways for veterinarians to get training in wildlife medicine and surgery. Veterinarians and veterinary students can reach out to staff veterinarians at wildlife centers for shadowing and externship opportunities. A number of larger centers have post-DVM internship programs, which can be found through the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), the Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV), and the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP). ExoticsCon and other veterinary conferences often contain lectures relating to wildlife medicine, and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) organizes an annual symposium as well as a wildlife medicine course. Each state has its own wildlife rehabilitators organization, which will typically hold annual educational conferences as well. At many wildlife centers, upwards of 80% of patients are birds, so the Online Education Portal at aav.org is an invaluable source of information, and there are many lectures currently available pertaining specifically to wildlife.

Wildlife rehabilitators can be large, professionally-run non-profit organizations, or individuals caring for animals out of their own homes. Both types of rehabilitators must be licensed with their state’s fish and wildlife department, as well as with the US Fish and Wildlife Service if they are caring for migratory birds. All rehabilitators must have a sponsoring veterinarian on record to oversee the medical care of the animals treated. This can take the form of a full-time paid staff veterinarian, a part-time contract veterinarian, or a volunteer veterinarian working out of their own clinic.

If you don’t want to leave your practice, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with wildlife rehabilitation. Clinics can triage wildlife brought from the public prior to transfer to a licensed rehabilitator, or you can offer your medical or surgical services to a rehabilitator that does not have a staff veterinarian. You can also reach out to larger centers to provide relief services while their staff veterinarian is away on vacation or attending a conference. None of these situations requires the veterinarian or clinic to hold any special licensing or permit.

Wildlife rehabilitation is a rewarding field that is constantly growing and evolving. Veterinarians have a lot to contribute to the field, as well as so much to learn through collaboration with rehabilitators, falconers, biologists, and environmental educators.

Resources:

American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians: https://aawv.net/

Association of Avian Veterinarians: https://www.aav.org

Association of Zoo Veterinarians: https://www.aazv.org/

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council: https://theiwrc.org

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: https://www.nwrawildlife.org

Wildlife Disease Association: https://www.wildlifedisease.org

Pictured: Ojai Raptor Center technicians Heather Kern and Tionna Elkins performing an intake examination on a Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

It’s a new year to fight for a better future for birds! For those of you who have just joined the AAV, we would like to welcome you and make sure you are aware of the AAV Conservation Note, a monthly publication by the AAV’s Conservation Committee. Articles from the blog are accessible to non-members to aid in the dissemination of information on important topics to your clientele and other veterinarians. 

The committee is always looking for new voices to highlight in the blog, so if you are interested in talking about a conservation issue important to you, please submit a contact request to the conservation committee here.  

While you’re pondering and possibly revising your resolutions list for this year, we thought we would give you a review of previous posts about topics of interest. Think about how the AAV can help connect you to the resources you need to make a bigger difference for the birds in your life. 

Wishing health, continued passion for the profession, and victories for birds and all in 2022! 

Learn more about the Conservation Committee by viewing our committee page.

Conservation Note Blog: Key Topic Summary

Migration dangers and how to be aware of migrating birds in your area: 

3 Billion Birds- biodiversity and population loss: 

Breeding season dangers: 

How to get involved in conservation medicine: 

Zoonotic disease and the wildlife trade: 

Climate change and cultural threats to birds: 

Rodenticide toxicosis: 

Wildfires and how you can help respond: 

California wildfires- 

Australian wildfires-

Amazonian wildfires and biodiversity loss- 

Hurricanes, flooding, and watershed protection: 

Fisheries and seafood demand impact on shorebird populations and welfare: 

Reducing plastic waste: 

Wildlife-human conflicts and veterinarians at the interface: 

Window strikes and collisions: 

Backyard bird feeding:

AAV position statements: 

Video Credit: Matt Falcon.The video above is shared with permission from the California Raptor Center and Raptors Are the Solution (RATS). Please take a moment to view this educational video on anticoagulant rodenticides and their impact on birds of prey.  

Worldwide use of anticoagulant rodenticides for vertebrate pest control has deadly led to frequent secondary poisoning of non-target animals, especially birds. We have long known that pesticides like DDT can build up, and in many cases kill, animals that consume target pest. Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are not the exemption.

In a review study conducted by Nakayama, S., et al, it was found that from 1998 to 2015, at least 30 scientific publications worldwide have reported primary or secondary exposure and poisoning by ARs in non-target animals. Of these, 19 papers report poisoning just in raptors. But raptors are not the only avian species affected. This comprehensive review, revealed that at least another 16 known species in the US.

ARs work by interfering with blood´s ability to clot. Unfortunately, there is a huge variation in how susceptible individual birds and other animals are to these poisons.

In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued mitigation measures that tightened the rules around the sale of second generation ARs. The EPA’s decision was prompted by evidence of exposure among children, pets, and “non-target wildlife” (animals such as birds of prey that aren’t meant to be harmed by the poison). Unfortunately this hasn’t been enough to protect wildlife and birds.

But how are ARs getting into birds? The answer is simple, through the food chain. Although it is widely thought that preying on the target rodents is the dominant pathway by which raptors and other birds are exposed, there have been multiple studies that show complex relationships in the diets of birds and the incidence of AR exposure.

Birds consume small and large mammals, but also other birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and an immense variety of invertebrates. High concentrations of AR residues have been found in raptors, mallards, rock doves, chaffinches, etc. In addition, recent studies have shown that ARs can also be detected in shorebirds and seabirds, and that the marine biota is the common source.

If it is true that pest control is important for human and animal health, we need to understand that there is no such a thing as a safe poison. Pest control practices need to be more cohesive and integral to promote not just animal and human health, but also environmental health. In summary we need a “ONE HEALTH” pest control approach.

How Can You Help

There are many ways that you as an AAV member can help to protect birds and wildlife against anticoagulant rodenticides. Here are some suggestions:

References

Photo credits: Flooding in Marsh Harbour following Hurricane Dorian, on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas, on September 5, 2019 Photo from the Library of Congress, accessed 26 September 2021. Bird photos taken by Nikki Becich (left to right): Pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in October 2020; Horned grebe (Podiceps auritus) at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in February 2021; American woodcock (Scolopax minor) at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in October 2020. 

Some of you may have seen the videos of New York City’s subway system flooding when Hurricane Ida hit the United States earlier this month.You may remember the images of devastation in the wake of Hurricane Maria across Puerto Rico in 2017, and the months of desperation as residents had no access to power or utilities following the storm. Just as humans are affected by these natural disasters, wildlife of all kinds, birds included, suffer from the destruction wrought by hurricanes, floods, and extreme wind patterns. Hurricane season in the United States overlaps fall migration, resulting in loss of viable foraging habitat, disruption of historical migratory routes, and displacement or death of individuals that have the misfortune of falling into the path of a storm. The impact from recent Hurricane Ida will be felt not only in the moment of the storm, but for months and years after: over 2,000 incidents of water pollution were reported in Louisiana alone immediately following Ida. Wildlife responders are still finding birds from the Alliance Refinery Spill in the wake of the hurricane in Louisiana. Over 100 birds have been recovered this month, including multiple egret species, black-bellied whistling ducks and blue-winged teals, among others. After Hurricane Maria in 2017, approximately 130 of the remaining endangered 600 Puerto Rican Amazon parrots had perished. Natural disasters have the potential to totally wipe out unique island-bound endemic species in a single event. The critically endangered Imperial Amazons of Dominica were fortunate to not have suffered that fate during Hurricane Maria, though their nesting habitat was severely reduced, potentially reducing population success in the long-term. During hurricane Dorian in 2019, the Bahama Nuthatch was not so lucky- and the unique island pine habitat it relied upon was similarly ill-fated. The bird has yet to be re-sighted and is feared to be extinct.

Individual migrating birds in the path of the storm have to battle wind, rain, and sometimes loss of their stopovers due to habitat destruction. If you are a bird watcher, you may have heard of the term “vagrant” species, which often refers to tropical, coastal, or unusual species of birds that have found themselves swept inland by extreme weather. Large numbers of migrant species dumped in unusual places, such as the decks of ships or in urban areas, has been termed a “fallout” phenomenon by birders that chase weather events to see what birds might turn up. The sad reality of these migratory disruptions are that they result in reduced fitness, illness, injury, and even death for the species affected. First-year migrants, the juveniles of 2021 that may have reduced flight skill and no prior experience, are often disproportionately affected. Exhausted migrants outside of their route are more likely to suffer building collisions. Though many birds have proven themselves remarkably resilient to the effects of hurricanes- such as Hope, a satellite-transmitter tagged Whimbrel that famously flew nearly 30 hours through a large tropical storm in 2011, reaching speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour for an hour and a half before reaching land- others lack the strength to return to their migratory route after displacements, especially if the foraging opportunities along their route are reduced by ongoing habitat destruction, both natural and man-made.

Unfortunately, NASA and NOAA indicate that there is increasing evidence for over-intensification of the water cycle, which will drive further changes in hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Large urban areas with high demands on natural watersheds result in more rapid evaporation of water, which results in changed weather patterns, and more intense patterns of rain when all that evaporated water does come down. World-wide weather patterns, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), are also changing. These large climatic patterns affect agriculture, public health, freshwater and rain availability, hydraulic power generation, and economic activity. A description of these patterns directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is as follows: “During El Niño, chances for drought increase across India, Indonesia and Australia and a large part of the Amazon, while the southern U.S. tends to see more precipitation. During La Niña, the pattern is effectively reversed, with wetter conditions for Indonesia, Australia and parts of the Amazon, and dry conditions in the southern tier of the U.S.”. For the 2021 and possibly 2022 winter months, NOAA scientists are predicting the La Niña paradigm, which is characterized by unusually low temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, potentially causing drought in the southern United States and heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Though this may seem welcome to some of those areas currently experiencing wildfires, the drastic swings in weather only weaken already heavily impacted ecosystems.

What can you do to help?

First and foremost, raise awareness among ecologically-minded friends and clients about when and where birds are migrating, and what to expect in your area if extreme weather may impact those flights. If you are located within the United States of America, you can follow the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdCast website, which tracks which nights in the fall are particularly heavy for migrants. They even have weather event centered blog postings and twitter updates, with predictions on which birds’ migratory patterns are likely to be most affected, such as this article published during Hurricane Ida in early September 2021.

During fall migration, birds who are swept off their historical migratory course by extreme weather patterns often end up in your local wildlife rehabilitation circuit. As always, avian veterinarians who are able to volunteer their time and expertise to help these birds are in high demand. Reach out to your local center and rehabilitators and see if there’s a way you can help individuals locally.

Volunteer for morning walks through cities to perform mortality counts and locate survivors of window strikes. Extreme storms and unpredictable weather generally result in more “fallout” for migrating birds. Join a BirdSafe chapter in the United States, the Fatal Light Awareness Program in Canada, or reach out to your local Audubon chapter to see if they are aware of any collision monitoring programs in your area. “Lights Out” initiatives become larger every year in major cities like Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York City, Atlanta and others. Chicago and other cities may have their own initiatives, like Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.

Emergency responders: Get on the front lines

If you are a citizen of the United States, you can also join a Community Emergency Response Team through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or become certified as a Disaster Service Worker through your state and county. Many veterinary schools also have their own disaster response teams, which as a local veterinarian you may be able to join. The University of California, Davis (U.C. Davis) has a Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) that responds to wildfires and oil spills- University of Louisiana Veterinary School partners with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) to help respond to flooding and hurricanes. As hurricanes and flooding events have the potential to affect offshore oil drilling and oil carriers, relevant organizations to align with also include the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, also centered at U.C. Davis Veterinary School. Together with the veterinary program at Massey University in New Zealand and the Wildbase Oil Response team, veterinarians can participate in the Oiled Wildlife Response Training program and help wildlife in need. 

Donate to Coastal Conservation Efforts for Birds

Finally, you can help support coastal cleanup crews and habitat restoration projects. The Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy, Nature Conservancy, and many local organizations work hard to protect coastal habitat. Protecting these habitats to protect the birds in them also gives back to humans and other wildlife in coastal areas- over 3 billion people live near the coasts worldwide. As flooding, hurricanes, and shore erosion worsen, humans and wildlife are all at risk, and healthy wetlands, dunes, marshes, and reefs help blunt the force of storm surges and winds, as well as absorb rising water levels.

References

More Than 100 Birds Found Covered In Oil After Hurricane Ida Refinery Spill. Hanson, H. Huffington Post. 11 Sept 2021.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oil-spill-hurricane-ida-birds_n_613ce0a6e4b0628d095beab9

How will climate change change El Niño and La Niña? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research News. 9 November 2020. https://research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2685/New-research-volume-explores-future-of-ENSO-under-influence-of-climate-change

Observing & Predicting: Climate Change on Weather Pattern News Stories. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed online 24 September 2021. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/category/99/all

Post-Hurricane Report: How are the birds? Nielsen, C. American Bird Conservancy. 27 September 2017.
https://abcbirds.org/hurricanesandbirds

As Hurricanes Increase in Intensity, How Will Birds Respond? Michel, N. Audubon Society Online. 25 September 2020. https://www.audubon.org/news/as-hurricanes-increase-intensity-how-will-birds-respond

How do hurricanes affect birds? Yuhas, D. Audubon Society Online. 24 October 2011. https://www.audubon.org/news/how-do-hurricanes-affect-birds

Migrating Shorebirds Slingshot Through Storms At Nearly 100 Miles An Hour Only To Face Shooting Gauntlet In Caribbean. American Bird Conservancy. 24 August 201.
https://abcbirds.org/article/migrating-shorebirds-slingshot-through-storms-at-nearly-100-miles-an-hour-only-to-face-shooting-gauntlet-in-caribbean/

Hurricanes Present Another Threat To Birds Before And During Fall Migration. American Bird Conservancy. 8 August 2014. https://abcbirds.org/article/hurricanes-present-another-threat-to-birds-before-and-during-fall-migration/

Reiley, B. M., Benson, T. J., Everitts, J., & Bednarz, J. C. (2017). Does flooding affect the apparent survival and body condition of a ground foraging migrant passerine?. PloS one, 12(4).

BirdSafe Pittsburgh, Additional Resources. Accessed online 24 September 2021. https://birdsafepgh.org/additional-resources/

Veterinary Emergency Response Team- VERT: U.C.Davis. University of California Davis. Accessed online 24 September 2021. https://ohi.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/disaster-preparedness-response/vert

Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN). University of California Davis. Accessed online 24 September 2021. https://owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/about

Oiled Wildlife Response Team. Accessed online 24 September 2021. https://owrt.org/8-2/about/

The blue-billed curassow is a neotropical bird of the Galliformes order and the cracid family, which is considered the most endangered family of birds. This species is endemic to northern Colombia (see distribution map) and is classified as critically endangered by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Its main threats are hunting and deforestation due to residential and commercial development, livestock farming and logging and wood harvesting, among others, reasons for which its population is severely fragmented and the current population trend is decreasing. In Colombia, the Barranquilla Zoo, through its Department of Biology and Conservation, has been in charge of the planning, execution, and management of activities and resources of a conservation effort for this species. Since 2008, the institution has identified this species as a conservation target because of the endemism and risk of extinction.

Cracids are seed dispersers, therefore, they act as regenerators of tropical forests. Likewise, they are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health since their distribution is associated with largely undeveloped areas where there is diversity in the supply of food, nesting sites, perches and shelters.

In 2012, an ex-situ reproduction program was established as a result of an initiative of the Colombian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (Acopazoa) and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS), as result, since 2015 the species studbook has been administered by the Barranquilla Zoo. Subsequently, an interest in continuing to contribute to the conservation of this species led to the establishment of a Cracid Conservation Program in the Montes de María (northern coast of Colombia), which has benefited two other species of birds (the congona guan -Penelope purpurascens and the Caribbean guacharaca -Ortalis garrula in the Los Colorados Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, a national protected area). 

Montes de Maria is a region located between Bolívar and Sucre departments that, due to the privileged geographical location, is key for the transit of goods and people from the interior of the country to the north coast. It is surrounded by large economic centers, and also has great agro-industrial and livestock potential. This is one of the last habitats of the tropical dry forest in Colombia and is home to three national parks. However, this area has been the subject of various political conflicts and dynamics of violence due to the settlement of illegal armed groups and the presence of drug trafficking, reasons for which the protection of these areas of particular interest was inadequate throughout the majority of its range, and there was low institutional management of resources for its conservation.

Currently, the Barranquilla Zoo is still carrying out this search project through photo-trapping and by performing surveys throughout the community. The presence of the species in the area is being evaluated, as it is estimated that there are less than 2,500 mature individuals in the wild, and their presence in some areas of historical distribution is currently unknown. With the information resulting from this first phase, it is planned to define a strategy for the blue-billed curassow's conservation in the region and to monitor populations of other species of cracids in the area. Data from this project will allow professionals to determine conservation strategies for the species. With enough funding, interest, and resource availability, we may someday see in-situ breeding programs with goals of releasing animals to boost the wild populations in Colombia. 

In Colombia, a country with 1,871 recorded bird species- making it the country with the greatest diversity of bird species globally- there is still much to explore, learn and research, and the efforts of institutions such as the Barranquilla Zoo help make a difference.

How can you help?

Please contact Christian A. Olaciregui, the head of the Biology & Conservation Department, via the following email if you have interest in getting involved in the project directly through the Barranquilla Zoo: c.olaciregui@zoobaq.org.

Learn more about the beauty of Colombian bird diversity at Birds of Colombia Online: https://birdsofcolombia.com/

References

• BirdLife International. 2018. Crax alberti (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. Accessed online 16 August 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678525A127590617.en
• Rodríguez Ortiz, E. (2008). Densidad y estructura poblacional del Paujil Piquiazul (Crax alberti) en la Reserva Natural de las Aves El Paujil, Serranía de las Quinchas, Colombia. Conservación Colombiana, 4, 46-49. Accessed online 16 August 2021.
• Cuervo Maya, A., Ochoa, J., & Salaman, P. (2021). Últimas evidencias del Paujil de Pico Azul (Crax alberti) con anotaciones sobre su historia natural, distribución actual y amenazas específicas. Scientific Journal Of The Antioquia Ornithological Society, 10(18-19). Accessed online 16 August 2021. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/cuervo/pubs_files/Cuervo_etalBolSAO1999.pdf
• Fundación Ideas Para la Paz. (2011). Análisis Regional de Los Montes de María [Ebook]. Bogotá, Colombia. Accessed online 16 August 2021. https://ideaspaz.org/media/website/MontesdeMariaweb.pdf
• Moreno-Palacios, M., & Molina Martinez, Y. (2011). Aportes a la historia natural del paujil de pico azul (crax alberti) (1st ed.). Editorial Académica Española.
• South American Classification Committee, Colombia Checklist. Updated 2021. Accessed online 23 August 2021.  https://bubo.org/colombia-sacc.html 
  

Why do we need legislation to protect wild birds? We are amidst the largest period of species extinction in the last 60 million years. Normally, 1-5 species will go extinct annually. However, scientists estimate that we are now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the normal rate, with multiple extinctions daily! Forty percent of the world’s bird species are in decline, with 1/3 of North America’s birds requiring urgent conservation action. As avian and wildlife veterinarians, we have a unique window into the health of wild bird populations.  A recent paper published in Science reported that North America is home to nearly three billion fewer birds today compared to 1970—that’s more than 1 in 4 birds that have disappeared from the landscape in a mere half a century.

Previously, we published a conservation note about a piece of legislation in the United States that has protected migratory birds since 1918: the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 

Migratory Bird Treaty Act Changes, February 2020

The previous administration critically weakened this act by removing responsibility of industry to protect birds “incidentally taken” - thus absolving industries of “accidental” killings of birds. If protections like this were not in place, fracking and wastewater plants may not be moved to spend money investing in technology and safeguards against accidental wildlife deaths. More dramatically, ecological disasters like the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in 2010 that directly killed 102,000+ birds, and indirectly caused the deaths of over a million birds, would be forgiven, and reparations to help rebuild and conserve affected populations would not be required. 

Recently the AAV, represented by doctors Michelle Hawkins, Heather Barron and Bob Groskin, together with Jennifer Cipolletti and Steve Holmer from the American Bird Conservancy, visited virtually with legislative aides to several US Senators and Representatives. We spoke about our individual experiences working with wild birds and why we hoped Congress would enact specific legislation or increase the budget for other Acts in order to help prevent injuries, trauma and death to birds. Here are 2 specific examples of legislation we spoke about.  

Migratory Bird Protection Act: HR 5552

We need to restore protection for birds under MBTA that were significantly reduced by the last administration. This act will help to authorize an incidental take permitting system for industrial sectors known to cause significant mortality.

As the current administration works to find a more sustainable balance between the demands of industry and our dying species and their ecosystems, we must all do what we can to speak up on behalf of birds. Visit the American Bird Conservancy and Audubon Society, or contact your individual state house representatives and let them know that you support HR 5552. You can locate your representative at this link.

House Resolution 5552: Amend the MBTA to affirm consideration of incidental take.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5552/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22hr+5552%22%7D (Accessed online 21 May 2021). 

Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act

AAV also encouraged increased support for the grant monies allocated for this act in the 117th Congress. Current funding is at $6.5 million with a 3:1 matching funds requirement. The request was to increase this to $20 million and to revise the match requirement to 1:1. The act conserves migrating neotropical birds for the benefit of the American people. It provides financial resources for preservation of 386 species of Neotropical migratory birds throughout the Western Hemisphere. Since 2002, the grant program has awarded more than $75 million in grants, matched 3.6-to-1 by non-federal partners, affecting 5 million acres across 36 countries. Approximately 75% of funding goes to projects outside the U.S. 

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the decline of North American avifauna, please visit the following sites:

• https://www.3billionbirds.org/ (Accessed online 21 May 2021).

• Rosenberg, Kenneth V., et al. "Decline of the North American avifauna." Science 366.6461 (2019): 120-124.

• https://abcbirds.org/3-billion-birds/ American Bird Conservancy. (Accessed online 21 May 2021). 

• https://www.audubon.org/news/-next-steps-announced-process-reinstate-and-strengthen-migratory-bird-treaty-act Audubon Society. (Accessed online 21 May 2021). 

• https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (Accessed online 21 May 2021). 

What Can You Do as an AAV Member?

• Be a voice for birds and the conservation of their habitat with your local community and your local representatives

• Support the American Bird Conservancy and Audubon Society

• Educate your clients about avian conservation and the threats they are facing

• Follow the AAV Conservation Note blog at AAV.org for ongoing ideas on how you can make a difference.

Pictured left to right: Prairie Warbler taken near Morgantown, West Virginia in April 2021; Yellow Warbler and Chestnut Warbler at Magee Marsh, Ohio. Photos taken by West Virginia naturalist Nari Soundarraj.an.

It’s a magical time of year again for us in the north: the ice is melting, the snow has (hopefully) receded, and breeding birds are returning to their summer homes. In North America, a flurry of events are scheduled to celebrate the return of Neotropical migrant species, ranging from songbirds to raptors to waterfowl. Due to ongoing concerns with the pandemic, most of these events remain virtual, which is hard for those of us who long to get out in nature with all our favorite ecology nerd friends. The positive spin? Access to the inner workings of birding festivals and virtual connections to world-class bird guides and programs have never been more affordable or easier to watch. 

Festivals and birding events are fantastic ways for beginners to hone their birding skills, and for veteran birders to meet up with experts to appreciate the species they love most. Spring migration in North America marks the easiest time of year to spot vocal, flashy songbirds who generally remain inconspicuous and high in the canopy the rest of the year. Warblers are especially sought out for their diversity in song and color. One of the most famous hot spots for warbler sightings during migration is Magee Marsh in northwestern Ohio, near the shores of Lake Erie. The Black Swamp Bird Observatory is offering virtual attendance at their festival, the Biggest Week in American Birding, so people around the world can virtually attend talks, guided tours, and presentations straight from the #1 spring birding destination in the U.S.A.

Register to virtually attend the Biggest Week in American Birding here.  

Last year we posted in early May about how to access free technologies to identify, report, and help keep birds safe in your area during the perils of migration. If you’re not ready yet to jump into the world of birding festivals, you can still celebrate migrant birds at your own pace, right from your home or clinic window. Visit the article here: Birds Connect Our World. 

Since 1993, International Migratory Bird Day has been celebrated during the second week of May in the Western Hemisphere. This year’s theme is “Sing, Fly, Soar Like A Bird”, which aims to celebrate the unique features and behaviors that compel us to connect with birds. Over 700 locations from Argentina to Canada will be celebrating how these bird species bring us together across the continents.  Even if you are outside of the U.S. and the western hemisphere, you can still participate in a birding event led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird, the Global Big Day. Check out our Conservation Note from last year, update your phone with birding and nature apps like eBird, and head outside with friends and colleagues on May 8th to record birds in your area. Every recorded sighting is contributing to citizen science and deepening our understanding of bird populations and how they move among us. 

If you do nothing else, go outside and listen to the birds for a bit with morning coffee (and maybe think about buying shade-grown or bird-safe coffee in honor of migrants). Think about sponsoring a birding team with your local Audubon chapter, or donating to birding teams going big for the Global Big Day. Cheers from Appalachia: wishing a happy, healthy, and safe spring migration to all! 

Painting of Southern Giant Petrel by Dr. Patricia Latas

The global demand for seafood has a direct and profound impact on seabird populations throughout the world. Seabirds interact with commercial fishing vessels that utilize a variety of nets and fishing lines. They fly into gear and cables or become entangled in drift, trawl and gill nets as these nets, heavy with fish, are hauled into the fishing vessel. Long line fishing, also known as hook and line fishing, consists of up to 40 miles of fishing line with hundreds of baited hooks. Seabirds are attracted to the bait as the lines are released into the water and reeled back in. Some diving bird species are caught on the submerged baited hooks. Birds and sea mammals caught in this fashion are called bycatch. It is estimated bycatch seabird mortality is 600,000 individuals from long-line, net and trawl fisheries (read more); and affects a multitude of species (for example, IUCN-listed endangered species in US waters including Hawaii: Short-tailed albatross, Waved Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Bermuda Petrel, and Ashy Storm-petrel). Entrapped birds may drown or when brought onto the deck may suffer fatal injury or brutal mutilation when workers separate them from the nets or remove the hooks from bills or other parts of the body.

Many nations have Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) that extend 200 miles off their shores. Commercial fishing vessels within the EEZ can be highly regulated with regards to fish species and methods allowed, enforcement and monitoring of bycatch.  However not all vessels have monitors and some commercial fishing boats will routinely flout regulations or enter territorial waters, fish and leave before enforcement can catch them. These illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing vessels are responsible for significant seabird mortality.

The declining seabird populations have been studied and documented over the past several decades. Of the 378 global seabird species, 346 are threatened with population declines (over 90%). Although seabird bycatch, with the collateral effects of breeding and chick starvation mortality, accounts for the majority of losses, other impacts include habitat loss and predation by invasive species on breeding sites. International attention to seabird population loss has focused on the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), to which the US is not a signatory; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act; UN resolutions and regional fisheries management councils.

Photo credit: Dimas Gianuca, from Gianuca et al. 2020

Solutions

Efforts to reduce bycatch primarily involve mitigation techniques. These techniques are described in detail by the American Bird Conservancy Seabird Bycatch-Solutions literature and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. The most effective mitigation technique involves deploying streamer lines at the rear and sides of fishing vessels to deter seabirds from the fishing lines, nets and gear. A recent study of one fishery in Namibia demonstrated a 98% reduction in seabird bycatch in the fishery when this mitigation technique was employed.

Streamers attached to trawler lines greatly reduces albatross deaths.

Photo credit: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

What You Can Do

Be aware of the problem:

Consider a plant-based diet, try to consume less animal-based diets and include more plant-based foods; it’s healthy for you and the planet.

Ask your retail fish store for fish that is Marine Seafood Council Certified. This certification means that the fisheries have sustainable practices and and prevent destructive fishing.

Avoid seafood on the Seafood Watch list.

Ask your US Congressional representatives to support legislation for the US to join the Albatross and Petrel Treaty and support the Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act.

Distribute information about safe handling of injured/hooked seabirds such as:

Recommended Veterinary Care of Injured Seabirds:

Reference Material

Gianuca D, Bugoni L, Jiménez S, Daudt NW, Miller P, Canani G, Silva-Costa A, Faria FA, Bastida J, Pon JP, Yates O. 2020. Intentional killing and extensive aggressive handling of albatrosses and petrels at sea in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Biol Conserv 252:108817.

ACAP. 2019. ACAP review and best practice advice for reducing the impact of demersal longline fisheries on seabirds. In: Eleventh Meeting of the Advisory Committee. Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Floriano ́polis (p. SBWG9 Doc 09).

Alfaro-shigueto, J., Mangel, J.C., Valenzuela, K., Arias-Schreiber, M. 2016. The intentional harvest of waved albatrosses Phoebastria irrorata by small-scale offshore fishermen from Salaverry port, Peru. Panam J Aquat Sci 11:70–77.             

BirdLife International, 2017. Albatross Task Force: 2018-2020. In: Eighth Meeting of the Seabird Bycatch Working. Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Wellington (p. SBWG8 Inf 11).

Garcês A, Pires I, Pacheco F, Fernandes LS, Soeiro V, Lóio S, Prada J, Cortes R, Queiroga F. 2019. Natural and anthropogenic causes of mortality in wild birds in a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Northern Portugal: a ten-year study. Bird Study 66(4):484-93.

Gilman, E., Brothers, N., Kobayashi, D.R. 2005. Principles and approaches to abate seabird by-catch in longline fisheries. Gilman E, Brothers N, Kobayashi DR. Principles and approaches to abate seabird by‐catch in longline fisheries. Fish and Fisheries. 6:35–49.

Gilman, E., Chaloupka, M., Wiedoff, B., Willson, J. 2014. Mitigating seabird bycatch during hauling by pelagic longline vessels. PLoS One 9:e84499. h                                        

Kolesnikovas et al. 2020. Reabilitação de Procellariiformes. Pdf Accessed at:
https://projetoalbatroz.org.br/sobre-o-projeto-albatroz/biblioteca/reabilitacao-de-procellariiformes-albatrozes-petreis-e-pardelas

Montesdeoca N, Calabuig P, Corbera JA, Orós J. 2017. A long-term retrospective study on rehabilitation of seabirds in Gran Canaria Island, Spain (2003-2013). PloS one  12(5):e0177366.

Pardo, D., Forcada, J., Wood, A.G., Tuck, G.N., Ireland, L., Pradel, R., Phillips, R.A. 2017. Additive effects of climate and fisheries drive ongoing declines in multiple albatross species. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 114:e10829–e10837. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1618819114.                                                

Phillips, R.A., Wood, A.G. 2020. Variation in live-capture rates of albatrosses and petrels in fisheries, post-release survival and implications for management. Biol Conserv 247:108641 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108641.     

Phillips, R.A., Gales, R., Baker, G.B., Double, M.C., Favero, M., Quintana, F., Tasker, M.L., Weimerskirch, H., Uhart, M., Wolfaardt, A. 2016. The conservation status and priorities for albatrosses and large petrels. Biol Conserv 201:169–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.06.017.           

Vanstreels RE, Hurtado R, Egert L, Bhering RC, Mayorga LF. Procellariiformes admitted by Instituto de Pesquisa e Reabilitação de Animais Marinhos, Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2016–2018. Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). In: Fifth Meeting of the Population and Conservation Status Working Group (PaCSWG5), Information Paper 2019 (Vol. 16).

Wilson, S.M., Raby, G.D., Burnett, N.J., Hinch, S.G., Cooke, S.J. 2014. Looking beyond the mortality of bycatch: sublethal effects of incidental capture on marine animals. Biol Conserv 171:61–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.01.020.

Rehabilitation of Procellariformes

https://projetoalbatroz.org.br/sobre-o-projeto-albatroz/biblioteca/reabilitacao-de-procellariiformes-albatrozes-petreis-e-pardelas

https://www.birdrescue.org/

https://www.wildlifehospital.co.nz/

https://www.wildlifehospitaldunedin.org.nz/

http://seabirdrescue.org.au/

https://sanccob.co.za/

Mitigation, education, practical solutions

https://www.greenpeace.de/search/field_tags/fischratgeber-1152

https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-casework/our-positions/marine-and-coastal/saving-seabirds-globally/the-albatross-task-force/

Photo credit: Maria Passerelli, VMD (left), Adobe Stock (center, right)

By: Maria Passerelli, VMD, AAV Member, Save Our Seabirds, Inc.

Conservation is often considered an effort of charismatic species in far-away places – the elephants and big cats of Africa, the flashy jewel-toned birds of the tropics, or the sea turtles of the great oceans. But the overabundance of human life on this planet is starting to produce worldwide consequences, and the need for increased conservation efforts has come to our doorstep. As veterinarians, most of us work strictly with domesticated animals, which seems to be a role separate from anything that could impact conservation. However, our expertise in animal health gives us a critical role as part of the worldwide push toward conservation: we are the voice of the interface between domestic and wild animals.  

This interface occurs whenever and wherever domestics and wildlife impact each other: a Labrador excitedly chasing a flock of terns off the beach; an indoor-outdoor cat injuring a fledgeling bird during one of its outdoor forays; or an alligator attacking a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in a close-call situation so shocking that it went viral on the internet. And with continued human population expansion and urban sprawl, the surface area of this interface becomes increasingly larger. Each side of this interface has a representative: the pet owners and feral cat enthusiasts eager to protect the quality of life of their beloved domestic species, versus the wildlife conservation specialists imploring for change. Veterinarians are uniquely situated in the middle, with an understanding of how each side impacts the other’s health and safety.  

As the mediators of this interface, our greatest tool is education. Pre-made handouts and brochures in waiting rooms are a low-cost, low-effort way to get the word out. Research the native wildlife in your area that pose the greatest risk – coyotes, wolves, bears, alligators, etc – and send out emails to clients with tips for how to protect their pets from conflicts with these species. But most importantly, consider taking the extra moment to educate the client in-person as the situation calls for it. These small everyday efforts, when multiplied across the country, could have a massive impact on the health and safety of our pets and wildlife.  

Conservation will not be a one-time victory, but an adoption of good habits and practices that will need to be maintained over time. Therefore, the success of conservation greatly depends on our ability to find a way to coexist with nature. As the voices of the interface, veterinarians can help our pet owners to adopt good practices that will benefit both pets and wildlife in a sustainable manner, building toward a future of peaceful coexistence. Please visit the following sites for more information on the interface between domestic companion animals and wildlife.  

AAV Position Statement on Feral and Outdoor Cats: 

https://www.aav.org/page/positionstatements

Resources for the Domestic Cat/Wildlife interface:

The Indoor Pet Initiative (The Ohio State University):
https://indoorpet.osu.edu/?fbclid=IwAR2E-gu76RxKFkN3uO6ifATQ0PoindpBwRpdZRC_Q-vTVArlJEG15q-Coek
and
https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats?fbclid=IwAR09LQQ_cSTHLpWSIXBkfjku29sh4rX3wiL_J-jBsZBqQT3Pe-_qGE6hE6M

Cats Safe At Home:
https://www.catssafeathome.org/?fbclid=IwAR3dqth7YAHAnVwesv7k8WJTWi2t78UIGwFPCsnp73J41BSxKib9B-dTEcQ

Transitioning an outdoor cat to indoors:
https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-care/transitioning-outdoor-cat/?fbclid=IwAR3hVmUYm3FSOYsvOX0ZclN9ABU-90pY9SDz3tn5xlBdTNzzRYrfCs57Etk
and
https://www.wihumane.org/behavior/ask-the-experts/cat-behavior/training-your-cat-to-stay-inside?fbclid=IwAR1eeJ6uIE1oo4wrrK3rw7_y3Ov1P4ElqXcNtnttIEOJAkMTUNSZO67ecQQ

Indoor enrichment for cats:
https://catioworld.com/portable-catios/?fbclid=IwAR05KXBy4_8NgwFwASdv1eFKt3zX9sYcjcxwrmmQQR6wYfyTeptrKmVbLXY
and
http://foodpuzzlesforcats.com/?fbclid=IwAR0hwupUA0bqbC6CyeW4FcLbRJeTRTsGhU7AxzvmMasmxdr9eEwc0kkGVlo

Resources for the Domestic Pet/Coyote interface:

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/protect-your-pets-from-coyotes-and-other-wild-animals/

https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/routine-care/protecting-pets-from-wildlife-and-predators

Coyote Conflict Brochure:

https://www.englewoodco.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=21583

Dr Mariana Sosa-Higareda examines injured chicken (top left), UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team in action (lower left), burned foot of a chicken from the fires (lower center), South Lake Tahoe wildfires, taken in 2007 by Irene Wolfe (right).

Ten long months ago, we were writing to you about the Australian bushfires. Not long before that, we discussed the fires ravaging the Amazon. Now the past several months have brought us a record-setting wildfire season in California; five of the largest fires in the state’s history have happened in 2020 with over 4.4 million acres burned. Unfortunately, we are seeing intensification of fires in the state. The previous most deadly season was in 2018, where 1.67 million acres burned. Mortalities were numerous this year, but notably devastating was the loss of 2 California Condor chicks and 9 presumed-dead adults from the CNU Lightning Complex Fire near Santa Cruz in August. Biologists and veterinarians anticipate that many more animals across all taxa will die in the fires’ aftermath of dehydration or starvation. We will witness the long-term loss or conversion of habitat where fires have burned too hot, loss of nesting habitat, decreased fitness of individuals due to chronic smoke inhalation, and increased migration mortality as birds find their stopovers destroyed. Since the scope of these fires is unprecedented, the full impact on ecosystems and populations will not be understood for months to years to come.

While California, like Australia, has many ecosystems dependent on regular wildfires, experts warn that burns that are too frequent or exaggerated in intensity are far outside of the “norm.” Multiple species flourish with low-intensity fires every few years, which clear combustible materials from ground habitat and allow other species to move in. Some of California’s iconic species depend on fires: Giant Sequoias need fire to crack their seed cones for germination, and the Black-backed woodpecker opportunistically forages in snags (dead trees) left after fires burn. But even these species are having trouble reclaiming a place after intense fires like the ones we’ve seen this year. Similar to Australia, we are seeing that around human developments intensive fire suppression results in accumulation of combustible material, creating a “tinderbox” effect, ready to ignite with a wayward cigarette or lightning strike. Invasive species are amplifying the combustion potential of California’s wild lands, too. Invasive grasses, such as cheatgrass, recover a lot faster and thrive after burns, not only preventing normal post-burn succession of native species, but creating more fuel for future fires. Funding is not always available for proper forest management to remove flammable debris, or reclaim land choked by invasive species, which only worsens the risk of uncontrollable fires over time. Tragically, crucial fire management funding had to be diverted from many of these projects to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Similarly dampening rescue efforts in the past was the 2018 Virulent Newcastle Disease outbreak in California. Birds affected by fires could not be brought to rescue centers for fear of spreading a deadly foreign animal disease. This compounding of multiple disasters is a sobering example of what is to come as humans ignore sustainable practices and the ecosystems with which we are failing to co-exist.

Nearly one in ten U.S. citizens lives in California, not to mention a large portion of the nation’s fruit and vegetable producing agriculture. All the human water usage in the state compounds a drought issue exacerbated by climate change. Pair these risk factors with aberrant weather patterns -- such as Tropical Storm Fausto, an unusually large lightning storm -- and you get wildfires like the LNU lightning complex fire, the 5th largest in California’s history, burning only 30 minutes outside of University of California Davis, where some of our AAV colleagues were evacuated and also involved in disaster response efforts. Many AAV members work in the affected areas, and are rallying forces to address the needs of their communities, the animals they care for, and native wildlife.

The AAV has recently begun a podcast called “Docs of a Feather.” This month, we interviewed AAV member Dr. Michelle Hawkins (VMD, DABVP Avian) of the UC Davis California Raptor Center, and her colleagues Dr. Lais Costa (MV, MS, PhD, DACVIM Large Animal, DABVP Equine), and Dr. Jamie Peyton (DVM, DACVECC, CVA, CVC, CCRP) about their experiences on the front lines. Dr. Peyton is the director of the newly minted Wildlife Disaster Network at UC Davis, a partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife modeled off of the long-standing Oiled Wildlife Care Network. The UC Davis veterinarians are not only partnering to find and treat injured domestic and wild animals, but they are assisting others in studying the fire’s impacts. Dr. Maurice Pitesky (DVM, MPVM), is currently surveying populations for exposure to environmental contaminants such as flame retardant, among others. We don’t yet know if fires increase species’ exposure to toxic heavy metals found in soils, but researchers are taking a One Health approach to studying animal and human communities living in the shadow of the fires, which will undoubtedly reveal public health threats we must deal with in the future.

Scenes from the 2020 California wild fires. An emu (left) and parrot rescue (center) - images provided courtesy of Solano Co Sheriffs Dept, CA. Pictured on right, Dr Claudia Sonder (an equine vet) holds an iPhone over a bucket of chicks and ducks that were not doing well so she can receive telemedicine assistance via Facetime from AAV member Dr. Michelle Hawkins when Dr. Hawkins was not able to be there in person.

Get Involved

References

Kerlin, K. Wildlife Disaster Network Mobilizes Aid for Burned, Injured Wildlife. University of California Davis Human & Animal Health. Accessed online 20 November 2020. 
https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/wildlife-disaster-network-mobilizes-aid-burned-injured-wildlife

Frost, G. Fire and Birds. California Audubon Society Audublog. Accessed online 21 November 2020. https://ca.audubon.org/news/fire-and-birds-0

Jones, A. How Do California's Megafires Impact Birds? California Audubon Society Audublog. Accessed online 21 November 2020.
https://ca.audubon.org/news/how-do-californias-megafires-impact-birds

Wu, J. How Wildfires Boosted by Climate Change Threaten Birds. Audubon Society. Accessed online 21 November 2020.
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-wildfires-boosted-climate-change-threaten-birds

Cima, G. Newcastle reemerges, spreads in California. JAVMA News. Accessed online 20 November 2020.
https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2020-02-15/newcastle-reemerges-spreads-california

Sommer, L. California Was Set To Spend Over $1 Billion to Prevent Wildfires, Then Came COVID-19. NPR, All Things Considered. Accessed online 20 November 2020. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/07/867395353/california-was-set-to-spend-over-1-billion-to-prevent-wildfires-then-came-covid-

More scenes from the 2020 California wild fires. Volunteer veterinary teams worked around the clock, even at night working by Go Pro lights or headlights many times.

Listen to the Docs of a Feather Podcast

Additional Images

Photos courtesy of Dr. Lais Costa.

Migratory bird found dead near Carson, New Mexico, in a mass mortality event in early September 2020, taken by Eric Mack.

I am writing today from Appalachia where we have been experiencing a captivating irruption of Pine Siskins, a species highly coveted by feeder-watchers. For those of you unfamiliar with the term “irruption,” it refers to a sudden change in the population density of a species and is often used to describe the movement of northern-wintering species to the south in years of low food availability. Here in West Virginia we occasionally see Pine Siskins, Snowy Owls, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Evening Grosbeaks, or the rare Crossbill or Redpoll mixed in with winter waterfowl migrants. However exciting as these sightings may be, it is important to consider the reasons that we may be seeing a change in these species’ migratory habits. As it was with the overabundance of Scarlet Tanagers, Orioles, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks mobbing feeders in 2020’s unusually cold late May, these species are likely experiencing stressors, food shortages, and disruptions in normal weather patterns that result in mortality for many individuals.

Navigating man-made barriers during increasingly volatile weather patterns can make already taxing migrations deadly. In mid-September, thousands of birds were found dead across New Mexico and south into Texas. Most of these birds were swallows, warblers, and other insectivorous passerines. Post-mortem studies showed that on average, they had decreased body condition compared to individuals sampled during migration in previous years. Their deaths have been blamed on several events: drastic weather changes recorded near Albuquerque, New Mexico, including winter snows and a 40-year low temperature, followed by a 60-degree Fahrenheit jump in temperature the following day; smoke from the wildfires potentially altering foraging activity; drought conditions resulting in less prey availability. It is likely that all these changes resulted in a “perfect storm,” causing already debilitated birds to die along their route. A similar cascade of events is likely to blame for almost 1,500 birds found dead in a small section of downtown Philadelphia one night in early October. Low cloud cover and rain may have caused birds to stray from their typical course south, where they were then lured towards the city by artificial lights and met their deaths in window collisions with skyscrapers. Unsurprisingly, the wildfires out west are expected to take a huge toll on migrant and resident bird species. The damage to populations will not be fully known for months to come, as data collection is still underway. What we do know is that some birds not directly in the path of the fires, such as nesting and courting shorebirds, are greatly affected by the warming temperatures and smoke pollution. Birds like Murrelets on the Oregon coast are having trouble finding food as well as safe, suitable nesting habitat. Ocean warming and acidification, which are only accelerated when droughts and wildfires run rampant, are disrupting the marine food webs these birds rely upon. Across taxa and across continents, birds are facing threats at every turn.

Mortality events like these are alarm bells for ecosystem health. We are watching the ecosystems collapse in real time: the dysregulation of food chains that maintain healthy and productive plant and animal communities that will eventually affect humans. Increased mass die-offs of species along their migratory routes sound like canaries in the coal mine. As a species, humans are not taking drastic steps to slow or reverse these changes. The time to act is now.

As veterinarians, we can help efforts to define when toxins, extreme weather patterns, and emerging infectious diseases are hitting bird populations hard by volunteering our expertise, processing wildlife through pathology labs, and helping to perform necropsies and collect blood and tissue samples. As a layperson or a veterinarian, you can participate in programs to monitor bird mortality with BirdSafe, which now has global outreach and online reporting. BirdSafe volunteers walk cities in early mornings during spring or fall migration, counting mortalities and finding collision survivors to bring to wildlife rescue centers. The data they contribute are invaluable in defining the scope of this problem. The American Bird Conservancy and Audubon are always looking for support to lobby for “lights out” legislation to decrease light pollution during migration. Recently, high-profile politicians such as former first lady Barbara Bush and Mayor Eric Johnson of Dallas have brought attention to this movement, with Dallas even taking steps to darken their city skyline for the whole first week of October to decrease collisions. If you are active in your community, bring attention to threats to migrating birds and start your own Lights Out movement to help. Every step you take in the right direction can make a difference.

References

McCullough, J. The data behind mysterious bird deaths in New Mexico. American Birding Association. Accessed online 13 October 2020. https://www.aba.org/the-data-behind-mysterious-bird-deaths-in-new-mexico/

Williams, K. Oregon seabird facing dual threats as forests burn and oceans warm, study says. The Oregonian. Accessed online 17 October 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/oregon-seabird-facing-dual-threats-as-forests-burn-and-oceans-warm-study-says.html

Kummer, F. Up to 1,500 birds flew into some of Philly’s tallest skyscrapers one day last week. The slaughter shook birdwatchers. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Accessed online 17 October 2020. https://www.inquirer.com/news/birds-center-city-philadelphia-audubon-october-2-2020-20201007.html

Kerlin, K. Wildlife Disaster Network Mobilizes Aid for Burned, Injured Wildlife. UCDavis Online News. Accessed 14 October 2020. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/wildlife-disaster-network-mobilizes-aid-burned-injured-wildlife

Farnsworth, A. Mayor Eric Johnson proclaims “Lights Out Nights” in Dallas to help bird migration. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birdcast. Accessed online 30 September 2020. https://birdcast.info/news/mayor-eric-johnson-proclaims-lights-out-nights-in-dallas-to-help-bird-migration/

Global Collision Mapper. BirdSafe. Accessed online 22 October 2020. https://birdmapper.org/app/

Assateague Island is a designated Important Birding Area in Virginia and Maryland, home to over 60 pairs of Piping Plover, as well as colonies of Black Skimmers and Peregrine Falcons. Over 400 species can be seen during migration. Photo by: Nikki Becich, DVM

One of the most significant boosts to conservation funding in decades, The Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law with bipartisan support in early August. The Great American Outdoors Act will tap into funds from offshore oil and gas drilling (instead of tax dollars) and distribute them to the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Education, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and National Wildlife Refuges to the tune of $1.9 billion a year for the next five years. It will also permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million per year. This act aims to address maintenance and park-project funding issues, as well as create more and improved recreation opportunities for visitors. As a conservation strategy, promoting and creating accessibility to wild places teaches people to appreciate and love nature, making them more likely to contribute to its sustainable management.What does this act mean for wildlife, or more pertinent to the AAV, avian wildlife? If you are like many US citizens, you may be unclear on what constitutes “public lands” and what their rules for use are. Federal, state, and local governments are all in charge of the management of public lands, which include city parks, state parks, monuments, national parks, and more. Four major federal agencies manage approximately 610 million acres of public land held by the government:

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM): 248 million acres or 10.5 percent of all land in the country
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS): 193 million acres or 8.5 percent of the country
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): 89 million acres or 3.9 percent of the country
• National Park Service (NPS): 84 million acres or 3.7 percent of the country

Each of these agencies have different rules to govern land use, development, and conservation. Sixty (60) national parks comprise 84 million acres of land used for recreation, culture, and resource management. One hundred fifty-four (154) national forests and 20 grasslands are managed by the US Forest Service, which provide recreation and resource protection, but also timber and mineral extraction and livestock grazing. National Conservation lands comprise 34 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and 155 national monuments also provide habitat protection for many species, and cultural significance for humans. These lands also provide homes, breeding grounds, and migratory by-ways for virtually all North American bird species. Some parks, like Big Bend in Texas and Point Reyes on California’s Pacific Shores, boast over 400 sighted and resident species in their boundaries. Birds are often relied upon by park biologists as “indicator species,” meaning that their health and success are indicative of the conditions and stability of their environment. Avian species under close observation in protected areas act as canaries in the coal mine amidst challenges of overpopulation of other species (like deer, who have lost their natural predators across most of the US), insect pests, and climate change. They define how our ecosystems are changing, and give us answers to how we can best preserve functional ecological communities.

The Audubon Society published a study in 2018 projecting that one-quarter of bird species living in National Parks could be totally different if habitat degradation and climate change continue at their current pace. Managing lands in a robust ecological balance, as so many national forests and parks aim to do, is part of the strategy to mitigate climate change and protect these habitats. Funding them through legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act is a step forward - but we have many more to take to ensure a sustainable future for birds and ourselves.

References

• “S. 3422 Great American Outdoors Act.” United States Government. Accessed online 20 August 2020.
• “Bird Diversity in National Parks.” National Parks Conservation Association. Accessed online 20 August 2020.
• “Birds.” National Park Service. Accessed online 20 August 2020.
• “The Future of Birds in Our National Parks.” Audubon Society. Accessed online 20 August 2020. https://www.audubon.org/climate/national-parks
• “Your Guide to Understanding Public Lands.” REI Online. Accessed online 20 August 2020.
• Zaradic, Patricia A et al. “The impact of nature experience on willingness to support conservation.” PloS one vol. 4,10 e7367. 7 Oct. 2009, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007367

Photo credit: Pileated Woodpecker feeding chick by Pennsylvania naturalist Bill Bramble. 

Photo Credit: Mourning Warbler by Pennsylvania naturalist Steve Gosser. 

Photo credits: Map of major bird migratory flyways. Zhen Jin, Avian Influenza Modelling, ArcGIS 2009; Yellow-throated warbler in song by naturalist Pablo Gutierrez Varga, Internet Bird Collection.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Spring migration!

Though many famed birding festivals are being called off this year as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, April and May hold no less magic. Avian conservationists in the western hemisphere have celebrated World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) since 1993 to highlight challenges to population health for migratory birds. To complement our connectivity in the times of global pandemia, 2020’s theme is “Birds Connect Our World.”

Here in the Americas, approximately 360 species of Neotropical migrant birds, ranging from herons to hummingbirds, raptors to warblers, are making their way back north. This time of year is the best for bird watching because so many birds are loud and conspicuous while defending their territory, sporting flashy breeding plumage. Their path each spring and fall is a dizzying demonstration of all the challenges they face across continents and oceans, from human activity, changing climate, unpredictable weather patterns, non-native predators, and more. 

For the Conservation Notes of April and May, I want to highlight several ways that you and your community can help facilitate a safe return and successful breeding season for birds in your area.

1.   Educate yourself and others with freely available technologies!

There are some incredible citizen science tools available to learn about what species are arriving near you and how to find them. Recording species, nesting data, and band numbers for birds provides invaluable data to ornithologists. 

Online

Phone Applications

2.   Keep Cats and other pets indoors, on leash, and away from protected wildlife habitat.

3.   Turn off lights at night and put up UV tape or decals on windows to decrease collision risk.

Lights out! Did you know that most birds migrate at night? Artificial lights can confuse birds and increase the risk that they will fly into buildings at night. In your personal home or at your veterinary clinic, Audubon recommends these steps to help reduce risks:

4.   Lead a bird walk in your area & encourage others to get outside!

Stay tuned for more tips on helping migratory birds in May.

Additional Websites and Resources for Migratory Bird Information:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/the-basics-how-why-and-where-of-bird-migration/

https://www.partnersinflight.org/ 

https://www.flap.org/

https://birdsafepgh.org/ and https://birdmapper.org/app/ window collision mapper 

Grey-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera) seized from a raid on suspicious bus cargo in Ecuador. The Pan-American Highway provides an easily accessible route through the Andes to traffic animals from Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and other countries into Central America and beyond.

Greetings and best wishes to AAV members during this time of unprecedented change.  March has been a big month for the world, and here in the USA, our trial is only beginning. I know everyone has had their fair share of reading COVID-19 articles by now, but I still want to take a moment to dwell on the topical: the potential for zoonotic disease spread from wildlife. As veterinarians, we know this story well.

By now you have probably seen the reports investigating possible reservoirs for COVID-19. Bats, pangolins, and snakes have all been implicated by various groups, but pointing fingers at a single species oversimplifies the issue. In our schooling, we all learned how pathogens can make the jump between animal and human hosts: changes in the environment, in either host, or in the pathogen itself. It is easy to see how rapid development and deforestation, increasing domestic livestock and poultry reservoirs, and of course, the illegal wildlife trade stress individual animals and expose humans and other species to those they would normally never contact. Wildlife markets and the illegal trade create the perfect storm: the mixing of bodily fluids, offal, and excrement of stressed, overcrowded, ill, and neglected or abused animals invites the mixing of pathogens and increases the chances of mutation. Epidemiologists studying emerging infectious diseases since the late 1800s have found an increased rate of emergence between 1940 and 2004. In 335 cases of novel pathogen discovery over this time, 60.3% of emerging pathogens were zoonotic, and 71.8% of the zoonoses originated in wildlife.

Reports from Interpol and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2016 estimated that the illegal trade in wildlife worldwide is worth around $20 billion, nearly as lucrative as other large-scale organized crime in drugs, arms, and human trafficking. More pertinent to us in the AAV: Birds are the most common contraband. Despite laws attempting to decrease poaching and the illegal trade, the US State Department in 2018 estimated that 2-5 million wild birds, from Asiatic songbirds to neotropical hummingbirds, to our beloved parrot species, to rare Fishing Eagles, are still trafficked to buyers yearly. Not only is this a huge welfare and conservation concern, but now we are living the threat that an emerging zoonotic disease poses to human health. Through programs like UNEP and PREDICT/EcoHealth Alliance, veterinarians, public health officials, biologists, and human medical professionals are monitoring emerging diseases, and it is not a new effort. We have known about the high possibility for a novel, pandemic-level pathogen emerging from wildlife for decades.

We have seen it happen in the recent past, again and again, with SARS, MERS, and other diseases. In 2004, Avian influenza (subtypes subtypes A(H5N1), A(H7N9)) had a stunning mortality rate amongst infected individuals: reports ranged anywhere from 4% to 60% in Southeast Asian countries. The Ebola outbreaks in 2001-2003, and again in 2014, shone light on the risks of bushmeat consumption, and the need for vaccination for humans and endangered great ape populations alike. As we continue to cut further into forests, trawl deeper into oceans, and experience rapid glacial and permafrost melt, we are exposing our species and others to new pathogens, new parasites, and a new paradigm of globalization and progressive climate change. One thing can be certain: COVID-19 may be the worst pandemic we have seen in our lifetimes, but it will not be the last.

So. How can we, as veterinarians, join the effort to decrease the risks of the next pandemic? The EcoHealth Alliance’s PREDICT network divides their actions into five categories: increasing biosurveillance, decreasing deforestation, teaching One Health, funding pandemic prevention and containment efforts, and most importantly, wildlife conservation. Quoted directly from the PREDICT network intro page, “Ecosystem integrity can help regulate diseases by supporting a diversity of species so that it is more difficult for one pathogen to spread rapidly or dominate.” Balanced ecosystems and biodiversity are great shields against the rapid emergence of novel pathogens. Certainly, in a post-COVID world, more funding will be placed into biosurveillance efforts and studies of wild populations that can act as disease reservoirs. It is an unfortunate teaching moment for the rest of the world, and a critical time to decry wildlife trafficking as professionals. In China, policymakers have already taken first steps to decrease and eventually stop the consumption of wild animals in open markets. This will not stop the illegal trade by a longshot, but it is a step in the right direction.

As ever in the USA, make sure to stay up to date on changes proposed to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). Support valid research and science-based evidence for listing, management, and delisting of species at risk.

Best wishes to all still working hard to ensure the health of their patients and study populations out there. Stay safe and sane, and continue to reach out to fellow AAV members in these trying times!

A sign from the Guatemalan authorities (CONAP) on the edge of the Biosphera Maya Reserve, one of the largest intact tropical forest tracts in Central America.

References:

CITES 2019 Wildlife Trafficking Meeting: “The world’s biggest conference on wildlife trade....” Maron, D.F. and Fobar, R. National Geographic. Accessed online 20 March 2020.

EcoHealth Alliance PREDICT Network. Accessed online 20 March 2020.

UNEP Frontiers 2016 World Report. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Accessed online 20 March 2020.

New Partnerships to Stop Illegal Wildlife Trade. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  Accessed online 20 March 2020.

Coronavirus outbreak highlights need to address threats to ecosystems and wildlife. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  Accessed online 20 March 2020. 

TRAFFIC Wildlife Trade Specialists. Accessed online 20 March 2020. 

World Health Organization Coronavirus Situation Report 2020. Accessed online 20 March 2020. 

Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress: New Laws Regarding Wildlife Trade and Consumption in the People's Republic of China. Accessed online 20 March 2020.

By now, many of you have likely heard of the changes proposed to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s century-old legislation: the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Taken directly from the USFWS website: “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a rule that defines the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) to provide regulatory certainty to the public, industries, states, tribes and other stakeholders. This proposed rule clarifies that the scope of the MBTA only extends to conduct intentionally injuring birds. Conduct that results in the unintentional (incidental) injury or death of migratory birds is not prohibited under the act.”

Since 1916, the act has helped guide lawmakers, industry, and conservationists, stating that  “it shall be unlawful to hunt, take, capture, kill ... by any means whatever ... at any time or in any manner, any migratory bird”. Until recently, the interpretation of the act has remained unchanged throughout various political tides and administrations, so that companies and industry accrue punishments for individuals killed in accidents of “incidental take,” such as oil spill mortality, waste toxicities, collisions, and many other causes of avian wildlife death. Now, the current administration is proposing a new rule that would eliminate punishments for incidental take, allowing companies to engage in activities that routinely result in avian mortalities, as long as they were not intending that their actions would “render an animal subject to human control.” Basically, if they didn’t intend to kill birds with their operations, they are now legally unhindered to do so. The legal impetus to invest in safe industry practices to reduce mortalities would be stripped away.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians seeks to preserve species and their natural habitats, and has adopted the philosophy that veterinarians should take a leading role in preventative care for all the earth. Avian veterinarians are the voice for avian health, welfare and well-being, whether in the wild or in captivity. This new rule strips vital protections from bird populations already facing steep declines, and we should all oppose it.

We should all speak up against these changes. Each and every one of us is able to do so: the public comment period will still be open until March 19th, 2020.

It only takes five minutes to leave a comment!

How do you comment?

The USFWS is not taking direct emails or faxes for comments. Please comment on "Codification of the 2017 Department of the Interior Solicitor’s Office Opinion M–37050," Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0090. 

The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) also has a "petition" action form page that is user-friendly and easy to submit if you'd like to do so through their page after you have left a comment:  https://abcbirds.org/action/petition-mbta  

You can read the AAV’s Legislative Update about the MTBA changes here.

Don’t know what to say about the act? The ABC has a canned-text comment you can use and modify as follows:

I strongly oppose the proposed rule on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to change the definition of "take" and exempt incidental takes from law's prohibitions.

The MBTA is credited with saving numerous species of birds from extinction, such as the Snowy Egret and Wood Duck, and it has protected and benefited the birds that I enjoy. For decades, under administrations of both parties, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has led the way in reducing preventable bird deaths by reasonably enforcing the MBTA and the broad intent of the law and the treaties to conserve the country's native migratory birds from the variety of threats they face. Bird populations are now facing a crisis, with reports documenting a decline of 3 billion birds in North America since 1970, and that two-thirds of the continent's birds are threatened by climate change.

With leadership from FWS, working with industries, state agencies, and NGOs, the MBTA has provided the incentive to adopt common-sense practices that save bird's lives, such as covering oil waste pits or retrofitting transmission lines, and the ability to provide accountability and recovery after events that kill substantial numbers of birds, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This proposed rule, like the Solicitor's Opinion before it, substantially reduces the incentives for industries to adopt these practices, and the resources to recover bird populations and restore habitat after events such as oil spills. As a result, this rule will cause significant long-term harm to the birds that I value and enjoy.

I strongly oppose this proposed rule, and the rushed public process that cannot fully analyze the significant environmental impacts it will cause, and I urge you not to move forward with a final rule that codifies the erroneous Solicitor's Opinion (M-37050).

Thank you, AAV members, for being stewards of wild bird health!

References

“Migratory Bird Treaty Act.” United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Accessed online 20 February 2020. 

“USFWS Soliciting Public Input on MTBA.”  US Fish and Wildlife Service. Accessed online 20 February 20202. 

“Migratory Bird Treaty Act: National Audubon Society v. U.S. Department of the Interior.” Audubon Society. Accessed online 20 February 2020. 

“New Rule Severely Weakens Migratory Bird Treaty Act.” American Bird Conservancy. Accessed 20 February 2020. 

“Supporting Document for Migratory Bird Treaty Act.” American Bird Conservancy. Accessed online 20 February 2020. 

Pictured: Glossy Black Cockatoos on Kangaroo Island by Photographer Pete Nash. Tabourie Lake, home to wetland and songbird species like the Hooded Plover, burns as residents stand by. BBC Satellite Images of Bushfire Devastation in NSW and Victoria.

How do we, as humans and veterinarians, respond to climate crisis when it devastates species and habitats the entire world holds dear?

I’m sure that many of you have been asking yourselves questions similar to this while following the Australian bushfires. Fires have been raging in many areas since November of last year, and by now, over 25 million acres (larger than my state of West Virginia) have burned, the end not yet in sight. Because the fight to stop the fires is ongoing, the total impact on wildlife can only be estimated. Scientists say that over 1 billion individuals of various vertebrate species have been lost thus far. Beyond the immediate toll, ecologists are concerned that many habitats have suffered too much damage to recover. Valuable wildlife corridors have been lost, meaning that some populations that have evaded fires face declines in the future. Veterinarians the world around have joined with the government and local organizations to help treat survivors and evacuate animals if possible. Despite valiant efforts, BirdLife Australia estimates that at least 50 bird species and subspecies will have uncertain futures due to habitat destruction and population decimation from this event alone. 

Like we did for the Amazon last fall, let’s first put the diversity of the continent into perspective.

Australia is home to approximately 898 bird species (973 if you count visiting seabirds and vagrants recorded in the country), with over 45% endemism. 56 of these species are parrots (mostly endemic) accounting for nearly 15% of parrot species worldwide. Only about one fifth of Australia is considered forested by the government, and these habitats boast incredible plant diversity and delicate ecological communities. Southwest Australia and Eastern forests of Australia have long been recognized among the most globally important biodiversity hotspots, and in addition to their global status, the Australian government recognizes 15 total areas as critical ecosystems within the country. Virtually none of the 15 have been left unaffected by the fires, though the 5 hotspots located in New South Wales and Victoria, in the southeast corner of the continent, have been worst hit: over 12 million acres have burned and the fires are still not extinguished. Kangaroo Island off the southern coast, home to the majority of the population and a particular subspecies of the Glossy Black Cockatoos, has also suffered greatly.

How did this extreme climate event start? To understand why this year’s fires are so much worse than usual bushfire season events, a basic understanding of fire ecology and rising global temperatures is key. Many habitats require periodic fires and intermediate disturbance to maintain their delicate composition of plants and organisms that support the larger vertebrates we know and love. These fires happen with planned burnings in management areas as humans increasingly become involved in the close monitoring of disappearing natural habitats. Governments and natural resource managers worldwide struggle with fire regimes, especially in times of drought, as fires near human establishments can be dangerous when land is exceptionally dry. In 2019, the continent had experienced its most extreme rainfall deficiencies on record in many areas, which were the worst in eastern Australia at the end of the year. Some areas were not burned as planned due to drought risks, which is one of many factors contributing to the severity of the current bushfires.

Though I’m sure many of you are helping already, funds to firefighters and wildlife centers can be a great way to contribute if you haven’t already done so. The cost of fighting the fires, business and home losses, loss of tourism revenue, and recovery of affected areas ranges between $110 and $180 billion dollars. AAV members who also belong to the Association of Avian Veterinarians Australian Committee (AAVAC) have recommended that AAV members consider donating to Zoo Victoria’s Emergency Bushfire Fund and Taronga Zoo (Sydney) to help their bushfire wildlife treatment programs. The Australian Veterinary Association is also taking crisis donations towards helping all animals, domestic and wild. BirdLife Australia is also taking donations towards both immediate rescue and for planning a scientific effort in the aftermath.

BirdLife AU will be funding the following efforts:

Finally, if you, as a vet, have tips, products, or protocols for burn treatments in birds, your expertise is needed! Our AAVAC members have suggested that burn treatment resources could be made publicly available on our AAV website for emergency responders in-country to use freely. If you have input, please email me directly at nbecich@gmail.com, and I can help get the information out.

We are one species on this planet, and caring for other species makes ours unique. We all depend on this planet for our survival. The bushfires are one example of how an extreme climate event threatens both human and animal lives; there are sure to be others this decade.

Let’s do our best to work towards a sustainable, better future by helping in the present.

References

“Australia’s 15 National Biodiversity Hotspots.” Government of Australia Environmental Bureau. Accessed online 22 January 2020.

“Drought Statement 2019-2020.” Australia Bureau of Meteorology. Accessed online 22 January 2020. 

 “Bushfires.” Geoscience Australia. Accessed online 23 January 2020.

“Kangaroo Island Natural Resources, Glossy Black Cockatoo.” Natural Resource Dept Australia. Accessed online 23 January 2020. 

“Numbers of Living Species in Australia and the World.” Government of Australia Environmental Bureau. Accessed online 22 January 2020.

“Visual Guide to the Australia Bushfires.” BBC. Accessed online 23 January 2020. 

Photo credit: Photos of Chipping Sparrow (left) and Carolina Wren (right), by West Virginia Naturalist and Veterinary Technician Emily Riska.

Greetings to all from the frosty end of fall in North America! Winter waterfowl watching trips dot local Audubon calendars, programs like Project Owlnet target migrating Saw Whet Owls for banding, and Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, and ever-present Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays are settling in for the winter. A lot of people enjoy birds in these cold months through stocking the bird feeder and keeping an eye on the local avifauna from the warmth of the kitchen window. If you’re getting really fancy, you may even keep a heated bird bath.

Keeping a bird feeder is noted to be one of the ways people feel closest to wildlife in the USA, with 52 million citizens estimated to have a bird feeder or two at home. It is also one of the best gateways into environmental advocacy for the average citizen, according to a survey from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Initiatives for citizen science like Project Feederwatch and Neighborhood Nestwatch center around feeders and visible backyard birds, and are a treasure trove of survival data for migratory species. Despite its power to create positive engagement with birds, wildlife vets and biologists voice their concerns for contagion with feeding, where interspecies exposures occur frequently that may not happen naturally in the wild. The spread of pathogens isn’t the only concern, either. Competition for nesting areas near feeding stations and increased predation by feral cats or natural predators (that Cooper’s Hawk that uses your safflower platform as a fast food pickup) also impact avifauna. Altering bird’s survival by giving a plan B when natural food sources become scarce during migration, and allowing less fit individuals to persist may also increase disease reservoirs in wild populations. Provision of food may change the way some birds migrate, leading some species to stay the winter where they didn’t previously.  The big question is, do all of these impacts mean we should be telling our clients not to put up feeders in their backyards?

Personally, I’m airing on the side of keeping them up. We should all do our part to keep wild birds safe: as vets, we’re in a great position to warn people about proper biosecurity for their feeders. The following are five common pathogens commonly found in feeder visitors. 

1. Mycoplasma gallisepticum - “Finch conjunctivitis”, spread by direct contact 
2. Trichomonas gallinae - “Trichomoniasis” or “frounce” colloquially, common in Raptors and Columbiformes
3. Avian Poxvirus - stable from weeks to months in the environment, spread through breaks in the skin or biting insect vectors 
4. Mycotoxins - from contaminated seed or hummingbird nectar
5. Passerine Salmonellosis - stable from weeks to months in the environment, fecal-oral spread
   
   

Dilute bleach solution and hot, soapy water will be sufficient to clean your feeders and suet cages. Stay away from porous, netlike feeding options like finch thistle nets. Only put out enough food for a day – if food is left over for a day or two then reduce the amount of food to prevent accumulation of rotting food that could become contaminated by shed poxvirus or mycotoxins. Bird baths should be emptied daily, cleaned, and filled with fresh water.

If you do see birds affected by mycoplasma or pox lesions, keep an eye on them. Take your feeder down for a while if you note an infected bird to decrease transmission risk to others. Report or catch and bring birds struggling to see or eat to your local wildlife rehabilitator or vet. 

Audubon and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have some great tips about how to diversify and secure your setup for visitors, so you can attract the widest variety of species, offer the most nutritional options, and decrease the risk of window strikes and predation. Enjoy! 

References:

Kress, Steve. “11 Tips For Feeding Backyard Birds.” Audubon News, Audubon Society, 27 September 2011,  < https://www.audubon.org/news/bird-feeding-tips > . Accessed online 16 November 2019. 

Lawson, Becki, et al. "Health hazards to wild birds and risk factors associated with anthropogenic food provisioning." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 373.1745 (2018): 20170091.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service. “Backyard Birding and Bird Feeding.” USFWS. 19 February 2016, < https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/backyard/bird-feeding.php  >. Accessed online 16 November 2019. 

Photo credit: Long Eared Owl, taken by naturalist Bill Bramble

The Conservation Committee would like to welcome everyone to St.Louis for this year’s ExoticsCon! Registrants, please stay tuned for an email summary of conservation-oriented talks, including Dr.Sharon Deem of the St. Louis Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Medicine Round table on Veterinarian Roles in One Health (3:30 pm on Wednesday, October 2nd). 

Amidst pre-conference excitement, you have likely seen articles concerning the recent Science magazine publication of “Decline of The North American Avifauna.” This massive review of the estimated abundance of 529 North American bird species concluded a loss of 2.9 billion breeding adults across many habitats since 1970. This review used a variety of different reporting methods to make these loss estimates from 50 years of data: satellite activity of nocturnal migrating populations in the last ten years, net-capture monitoring stations, field census of populations and dispersal of individuals, and citizen monitoring of breeding populations. 

The authors have harnessed the power of media to highlight avian conservation actions with the release of their findings. Maybe you have seen the hashtag #BringBirdsBack on social media, or visited the American Bird Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or 3 Billion Birds stand-alone site at https://www.3billionbirds.org/ since the release of the paper just a week ago. Collaborators on the study have offered seven basic actions anyone can take to support native and migratory North American bird species. We would like to highlight those seven points here below, and comment on how the AAV has worked to help keep birds around. 

1. Reduce window and building collisions for migratory birds.

The AAV has collaborated with the American Bird Conservancy in lobbying for bird safe glass and reducing light pollution. Visit ABC’s Bird Friendly Window Solutions to learn more.

2. Keep Cats Indoors. 

Outdoor cats kill more birds than any other non-native threat. The AAV has a position statement on management of indoor-outdoor and feral cats here:  https://www.aav.org/page/feralcats

3. Reduce Lawn by Planting Native Species. 

The AAV encourages members to plant native species and engage in local conservation efforts at home, at your practice, and in your community. Check out advice from your local Audubon on native planting for birds in your area, or search the National Audubon’s Plants for Birds page for tips on how to transform your space. 

4. Avoid Neonicotinoid and Other Pesticides Harmful to Birds, Invertebrates, and Wildlife.

AVMA and the AAV are right now considering their position on House Resolution 1337, The Saving America’s Pollinators Act. Add your voice by contacting AVMA representatives and keeping track of the AAV’s legislative actions. 

5. Conscious Consumption: Drink Bird-safe Coffee. 

The AAV stresses conservation of habitat abroad for migratory birds, and urges members to choose shade-grown and bird-friendly coffee and cacao. Check out the ABC and Smithsonian’s Bird-safe Coffee Information pages, and order yourself some bird-friendly coffee for your clinic today. 

6. Reduce Plastic Consumption. 

The AAV highlighted the problem of plastic pollutants in oceans and for shorebirds in this May’s conservation note. 91% of plastics are not recycled, and can take 400 years to degrade.

7. Participate In Avian Citizen Science. 

AAV helps lead the nature walk at ExoticsCon every year. Come to Cliff Cave Park at this year’s ExoticsCon (7:30am, Thursday October 3rd departure) and hone your birding skills. Learn about Cornell’s eBird, set up your own account, and start listing anywhere, anytime. 

If you, as an AAV member (technician, student, boarded vet, international members, everybody!) have other conservation issues or actions you would like to urge the AAV to act upon, please come to our open floor member forum and committee meetings Monday, September 30th in REGENCY C from 7:30-9:30pm. 

As invested individuals with expertise in avian health, we are in a privileged position to influence the future of avian conservation. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm to ExoticsCon this year, and we look forward to seeing you at our committee meetings!

References

Rosenberg, K.V. et al. Science. Decline of the North American Avifauna. Published Online 19 September 2019.  
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2019/09/25/science.aaw1313

Many, if not all, AAV members have likely heard something this past month regarding ongoing Amazon deforestation. Whether you are opinionated about the inaccuracies circulating on social media regarding current forest fires versus fires that have been burning for decades, or are invested in your country leader’s place at the G7 summit, or maybe you were totally unaware that the Amazon region proper spans over nine countries (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana), the biodiversity and ecological importance of the region is undeniable. As avian vets, we treat many animals that owe their ecological origins to that region. Of approximately 350 world parrot species (including Macaws), over sixty call South America home, most from the Amazon. The Amazon at large is home to over 1,800 bird species (almost a fifth of all species on earth!), many of them transcontinental migrants, who increasingly find their non-breeding grounds destroyed upon their return. The Amazon covers about 2.1 million square miles of land, which is about 1.06% of the world’s total land area. Though it accounts for such a small area, it is home to almost a third of all of earth’s catalogued plant and animal species. 

The drivers of deforestation in the Amazon are varied across the countries and regions within, but the main trends are as follows: 

• Ever-increasing worldwide demand for commodities like beef, soy, sugar, and palm oil, which expand large-scale agriculture and logging 
  
• Government incentives within Amazonian countries that have increased state loans to fund infrastructure development, including roads, mines, and dams, both to national and international companies, with particular interest in those in petroleum and water industries
  
• Increased financial power of the private sector due to growing interest in "emerging markets" such as biopharma research and raw material extraction
  
• Rising domestic wealth in Amazonian countries 
   

Brazil (60%), Peru (13%), and Colombia (10%) have the majority of the Amazon within their borders, with other countries containing smaller fractions. There are many different ways to measure deforestation, but one commonly used is satellite data, which is what the Brazilian government has used since the 1970s. Brazil’s Amazon specifically has lost approximately 19.3% of its forest cover since 1970 by this metric, but that figure doesn’t account for degradation of habitat. To put current rates in perspective using satellite data, if we use the levels of 2010 forest cover as a baseline, Brazil lost 6% of remaining Amazon forest cover between 2010-2017, and Bolivia is about the same. They may be the countries of greatest concern for deforestation activity in the last decade. Consider these figures in the context of the trend: with greater forest loss accumulating over time, the integrity of much of this habitat has been diminished by what are called “edge effects” (both decreasing diversity of local species and introducing harmful new or invasive species), and the widely discussed deleterious effects of fragmentation. Accelerated loss now may be a lower rate per square miles cleared than it was in the past, but this loss has a greater effect on an ever-more-fragile state of complex and irreplaceable ecology. 

The good news? Many local, national, and international groups are hard at work reforesting land that was once pasture. Countries like Costa Rica are leading the way as examples of how preserving biodiversity and reclaiming forests can be beneficial to the country’s pride and economy. Sustainable development practices, like shade-growing coffee in multi-crop farms, or limiting extraction practices for logging, are helping slow the rate of habitat destruction, and providing some species with usable habitat fat the frontier of human-wildlife conflict. Those working at the front lines of Amazon deforestation try to take hope from Costa Rica’s impressive reclamation statistics: from a country that was reduced to 35% of its 1940 forest cover by the 1970s, nearly 17% of that has been reclaimed in 40 years of concerted effort. Native flora and fauna inhabit spaces that were once ranchland: monkeys, macaws, and even amphibians are reclaiming reforested space at a faster rate than scientists, farmers, and locals could have expected. 

If you are looking to learn how you can contribute your specialized avian veterinary knowledge to contribute to conservation in the Amazonian region, there are many bird-oriented organizations at work to conserve this incredibly important biodiversity hotspot. We are always at a place to use our professional voices for education and social change. 

• American Bird Conservancy 
• Birdlife International 
• World Parrot Trust, with a FlyFree campaign to battle unsustainable trade in wild-caught parrots 
  
• Wildlife Conservation Society branches in various countries, including the one in Brazil
• Projeto Arara Azul 
• Bolivia’s Barba Azul Nature Reserve  with Asociacion Armonia and the Laney Rickman Blue-throated Macaw Reserve 
• TRAFFIC, an initiative by the World Wildlife Foundation.

Other organizations hard at work to spread awareness and spur action to combat threats to the region: 

• Amazon Conservation Association
• Global Forest Watch
  

References: 

1. “Biodiversity Hotspots”. Conservation International. Article accessed online 20 August 2019. https://www.conservation.org/priorities/biodiversity-hotspots
2. Myers, Norman, et al. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature 403.6772 (2000): 853.
3. “Amazon Forest Destruction”. Mongabay. Article accessed online 20 August 2019. https://rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/amazon_destruction.html#
4. “Amazon Birds”. Mongabay. Article accessed online 20 August 2019.  https://rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/birds.html
5. “Top 10 Biodiverse Countries”. Mongabay News. Article accessed online 20 August 2019. https://news.mongabay.com/2016/05/top-10-biodiverse-countries/
6. “Amazon Rainforest”. Wikipedia. Article accessed online 20 August 2019.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_rainforest
7. “South American Parrots”. World Parrot Trust. Article accessed online 20 August 2019. https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/category/south-american-parrots/ 
8. “Reforesting the Amazon.” The Nature Conservancy. Article accessed online 29 August 2019. https://www.nature.org/en-us/explore/magazine/magazine-articles/april-may-2016-issue-reforesting-the-amazon/
    

It’s hot here in the U.S.A. as July takes its toll. We celebrated our independence day some weeks back, which can prompt some of us not usually involved in policy and government to think deeper on the state of our country and its laws. This month, I would like to urge AAV members in the U.S. to set a goal to keep abreast of the state of current legislation affecting wild, domestic, and captive wild bird populations.

Legislation can both be a powerful driver of conservation and can lead to irreversible damage. When we educate ourselves and speak up regarding conservation policy, our voices are often considered “expert” opinions, and can carry some extra weight. Laws and bills can seem overwhelming in scope, and many of us feel out of our element at political committee meetings. Despite these challenges, we must understand that speaking up can make a big difference, especially in the age of social media influence. 

For those of us in the U.S.A., I would like to draw attention to a very recent piece of legislation: the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (House of Representatives, bill 3742), put forth on the 12th of this month. Currently, all 50 states rely on only $65 million in State Wildlife Action Plan grants to fund targeted wildlife conservation efforts. This funding is available through each state’s fish and wildlife (or game) organization, and has to be stretched across funding for over 12,000 species, 1,600 of which are currently listed as threatened or endangered. Of the approximately 1,100 species of birds registered across the 50 states, over one-third are considered at risk. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a proposal to help species that are below the level of extreme conservation measures needed under the Endangered Species Act (which is also suffering from edits and budget cuts; see Recent Attacks on the ESA). It will empower states, territories, and tribal entities with an increased funding of $1.4 billion annually. This funding not only serves to protect at-risk species, but also at-risk habitats that support an $887 billion outdoor recreation economy and funds 7.6 million jobs. It is a sound investment towards a more sustainable future for our natural places and the animals we share them with. 

That’s just one piece of legislation. You want to learn more. Where can you start?

• Contact your state congress and ask them to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. You can also do so easily online through the Audubon Action Center: HELP birds: Support Recovering America's Wildlife Act.
• The American Bird Conservancy, International Foundation for Animal Welfare, and The Nature Conservancy are other organizations that frequently champion legislation that convey positive protection for wild bird species, and fight legislation that harms native habitat and bird populations. Check out their action centers and legislative summary pages in the links above.
• Learn about veterinary-oriented Political Action Committees that are currently active in Washington, D.C., such as the AVMA PAC and the Humane Society Legislative Fund. Whether or not you are a member of these organizations, you can find committee meetings or contact representatives with your specific concerns for birds. If you don’t know what a Political Action Committee is or does, check out the AVMA web link above to learn why they are an important part of legislative power in the United States government.

For information on other current legislation that affects avian species, please see our AAV Legislative Updates posted bi-monthly by our AAV Legislative Committee.  

References:

Audubon Policy Office, 2019. “Historic Wildlife Conservation Crisis”. Article accessed online 17 July 2019. Audubon Society. <https://www.audubon.org/news/historic-wildlife-conservation-crisis>. 

Conservation Policy Pages, 2019. “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act”.  Article accessed online 25 July 2019. The National Wildlife Federation. <https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Wildlife-Conservation/Policy/Recovering-Americas-Wildlife-Act>. 

United States Congress, 2019. “H.R. 3742”. Article accessed online 25 July 2019. United States Congressional District.  <https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3742/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR3742%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1 >. 

June greetings to all AAV members from the Conservation Committee! Here in North America, the month is heating up. Juvenile birds are arriving in droves to wildlife centers, and we’re in closer contact with other groups invested in avian health and medicine than in winter months. Summer for many biologists, zoos, and wildlife rescue centers means field season, the peak of insect-borne disease season, nestling season: a time of increased need for veterinary input on matters of wild and captive-wild avian health. As veterinarians, our input is vital to the success of many of these groups, as is their knowledge of our deeper understanding of avian health challenges on a local and global scale.

In the theme of insect-borne disease, veterinarians in Pennsylvania and West Virginia have recently been involved in identifying how zoonoses such as West Nile Virus (an Arbovirus first identified in the USA in 1999) are responsible for rapidly declining Ruffed Grouse populations. This problem is one of many examples of how as a vet, even if you are not involved in avian clinical or field research, you can help train diverse groups (ecologists, grouse hunters, government wildlife officials) surveying a population on proper sample collection, storage, and submission. On the clinical research side, further development and testing of West Nile Vaccine protocols in various avian species could provide an invaluable conservation tool. 

During natural disasters and large-scale wildlife disasters, vets also play central roles. Avian veterinarians from all parts of the world rallied to aid abandoned Lesser Flamingo chicks during a severe heat wave in South Africa earlier this year; without the collaboration with rehab facilities and local governments, none of the almost 2,000 chicks would have survived. No less than 537 vultures of five species were killed in Botswana earlier this month after ingesting elephant meat poisoned by poachers. Developing emergency treatment protocols for raptors with anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity, vultures with NSAID toxicity, lead toxicity, and others, and then sharing those protocols with groups attempting rescue efforts can save avian lives on large scales. 

The examples go on. Researching safe ectoparasite control methods for insect larvae decimating warblers and finches on the Galapagos Islands could help save irreplaceable island endemics. Training biologists in safe capture and wing tagging in vultures, safe avian microchipping techniques for long-term population monitoring, and helping zoos and sanctuaries write biosecurity and quarantine protocols for species coming from different continents are all tasks avian veterinarians could lead. The challenges in designing transcontinental, multi-species exhibits in zoos to limit endoparasitic exposure to  Sarcocystis sp. and Capillaria sp. that affect taxa differently, or training parrot shelters and sanctuaries on the risks of Pacheco's and Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, call for the input of avian vets. We are needed at all levels of safe wildlife and captive-wild avian management. 

If you are from ANY country and want to get involved with avian conservation medicine:

• Volunteer for the International Foundation for Animal Welfare for communities in need and learn how you can help wildlife and domestic animals in the event of natural disasters. https://www.ifaw.org/africa/programs/disaster-response
  
• Help train veterinarians in areas without access to residencies, internships, and specialty programs in avian medicine!
• If you speak multiple languages, visit areas where you can put your skills to work.  Check out this article by AAV member Dr. LoraKim Joyner: https://lafeber.com/vet/ten-things-every-avian-veterinarian-should-know-about-conservation-medicine/
  
• Donate supplies and time to provide additional diagnostics and treatment options to clinics in areas in need. 
  
• Network within the Association of Avian Veterinarians to find projects looking for veterinary volunteers. Contact the Conservation Committee, Research Committee, or International Committee. Contact Now>>

From the USA specifically: 

• Look up your state’s requirements for involvement in wildlife rehabilitation, and contact a local center to volunteer your time. Many states (like Massachusetts) offer expedited permitting for veterinary professionals. https://www.nwrawildlife.org/page/Careers_Need_License
  
• Renew or pursue your USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program Certification with APHIS so you can assist in disease surveillance and health certification for captive birds going abroad:  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/ct_areavet 

References:

• Angenvoort J., Fischer D., Fast C., et al. 2014. Limited efficacy of West Nile virus vaccines in large falcons (Falco spp.). Veterinary Research. 45(1):41.
• Bryce, E. 2019. Thousands of Baby Flamingos Rescued After Their Home Dries Up. Article accessed online 24 June 2019. Audubon Magazine. https://www.audubon.org/news/thousands-baby-flamingos-rescued-after-their-home-dries
• Murray M. and Tseng F. 2008. Diagnosis and Treatment of Secondary Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicosis in a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. 22(1):41-46.
• Rehm, J. 2018. Darwin’s Finches Fall Prey to a Blood-Sucking Parasite. Article accessed online 24 June 2019. Knowable Magazine. https://www.knowablemagazine.org/article/living-world/2018/darwins-finches-fall-prey-blood-sucking-parasite
• Solly, M. 2019. “Poachers’ Poison Kills 530 Endangered Vultures in Botswana.” Article accessed online 24 June 2019. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/poachers-poison-kills-530-endangered-vultures-botswana-180972477

Photo credit: Galapagos hawks by Dr. Julia Ponder.

Left: Perched on Dr. Ponder's lab/research notebook with supplies nearby; Center: Adult, close-up; Right: Juvenile.

By: Julia Ponder, DVM MPH, Executive Director, The Raptor Center,

Principal Investigator, Partners for Wildlife,

University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine

Just a few weeks ago, the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services starkly warned that we are facing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity and it is happening at an accelerating rate. A million species are threatened with extinction, a biodiversity crisis of immense magnitude.  While this is a global phenomenon, islands bear greater than their proportionate share of contemporary extinctions. Although accounting for only five percent of the earth’s land mass, islands harbor extreme endemism and unique species; 19% of known avian species are confined to islands and over one-third of the IUCN threatened bird species are endemic to islands. Ninety percent of the avian extinctions that have occurred in the past 400 years were on islands.

In the Global Assessment Report, invasive alien species were ranked as one of the top five drivers of the biodiversity crisis. They are particularly relevant on islands with 86% of recorded extinctions on islands linked to invasive species. In particular, four species of rodents (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, Rattus exulans and Mus muscularis) have been introduced to islands around the world, precipitating population declines, causing extinctions and altering ecosystems. Eradication of invasive rodents from islands is an increasingly used strategy with important conservation outcomes for biodiversity. The most common eradication methods utilize broad scale delivery of a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (in particular – brodifacoum) in cereal bait. Rodents have been successfully removed from over 831 islands.

While the elimination of invasive rodents on islands has been shown to have positive impacts on endemic species and ecosystems, the use of this tool presents a dilemma. We can solve one problem (extinction risk) by permanently removing rats on islands, but there are penalties to be paid – some known, others we cannot forecast. Brodifacoum is non-specific and highly toxic to both mammals and birds, which can be exposed through both primary and secondary exposure pathways. Reducing risk to non-target species requires careful planning and significant resources. Tactics used include avoidance of risk (bringing non-targets into temporary captivity), minimization of risk (rodenticide choice, bait characteristics, bait application methods) and mitigation of impacts (increasing population resilience, providing alternate food sources or antidote). Despite best efforts and planning using the best available knowledge, uncertainty exists in predicting all possible outcomes. And because uncertainty can lead to negative impacts, it needs to be accounted for in planning, particularly when endemic or threatened species are involved.

Consider islands with endemic species – there are well-documented successes that have saved species and there are undoubtedly situations where the consequences are unknown. Post-eradication monitoring varies tremendously and is critically needed to identify negative outcomes. Project plans must have built-in systems for intervention and adaptation when the unexpected happens and project managers just be prepared, committed and adequately resourced to take quick action. Eradication projects should only proceed if ethical discussions between conservationists, governments, local communities and other key stakeholders are open, honest and transparent, identifying risk and the potential cost of brodifacoum use.

Until more specific and safer rodent eradication tools are developed, the race in time against extinction will have to be balanced against the risk of doing harm. As scientists and veterinarians, we are in a unique position to educate ourselves and bring informed perspectives to the highly charged conversations about this critical conservation work. There is no one simple answer. Each situation must be critically assessed for risk, benefit and, most importantly, uncertainty.

References:

• Convention of Biological Diversity: https://www.cbd.int/island/problem/?sec=alien
• DIISE, 2018. The Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications, developed by Island Conservation, Coastal Conservation Action Laboratory UCSC, IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, University of Auckland and Landcare Research New Zealand. http://diise.islandconservation.org.
• IPBES Global Assessment Summary for Policymakers https://www.ipbes.net/news/ipbes-global-assessment-summary-policymakers-pdf

As I write this Conservation Note, it is Earth Day, 2019 and the theme is “Protect Our Species.” It’s been nearly 50 years since the first earth day in 1970. In that time, we’ve seen some changes for the better, like the introduction of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, but also some changes that are less encouraging. One thing is abundantly clear, humans are not being good enough stewards of wildlife. We are amidst the largest period of species extinction in the last 60 million years. Normally, between one and five species will go extinct annually. However, scientists estimate that we are now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the normal rate, with multiple extinctions daily! Forty percent of the world’s bird species are in decline, with 1 in 8 being threatened with global extinction. Water pollution is one of the things contributing to these steep declines in global wildlife diversity.

Clean water is critical to sustaining environmental, human and animal health. Worldwide, over a million people are killed every year by polluted water, making it the leading cause of sickness and death in humans. But the cost to wildlife and domestic animals is largely uncounted. It is estimated that 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, stormwater, and industrial waste are discharged into U.S. waters annually. As a result, over 40% of U.S. rivers (and in Florida, over 97% of bays and estuaries) are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life. Not surprisingly, aquatic animals have faced an estimated extinction rate five times greater than that of terrestrial animals.

The United States is experiencing a massive and multi-pronged attack on federal environmental statutes, regulations, enforcement, and funding by our government. The Clean Water Act is particularly under threat and the comment period on the proposed changes ended last week. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that the new rules will remove federal protections for 18% of stream and river miles and 51% of wetlands in the United States, putting protections at their lowest levels since the Reagan administration and leaving millions of Americans and an untold number of animals vulnerable to polluted water. Despite the administration’s claims, the proposed Waters of the United States rule would not simplify the regulatory process or provide any clarity for farmers. It would just give industries greater license to pollute our waters with impunity. Voice your displeasure to your elected officials now and pressure them to stop this One Health disaster.

If you'd like to get more involved with local clean water efforts and legislation, check out federal and local laws on water quality protections, local plans to address chemical and oil spills, and local river or watershed stewardship groups. The links below are a good starting point. Educate yourself and your clients on eco-friendly waterway use, and be aware of potential polluters near you.

"Clean Water Action." Accessed 23 April 2019. https://www.cleanwateraction.org/

"Environmental Protection Agency: Clean Water Act Summary." USA EPA Website. Accessed 23 April 2019. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act

"Freshwater Habitat Sensitivity to Pollutants." USA EPA Website. Accessed 23 April 2019. https://archive.epa.gov/emergencies/content/learning/web/html/freshwat.html

By the end of March, signs of spring are unavoidable here in West Virginia. The forsythia behind the clinic lead the charge with bursts of yellow blooms, the Red-Winged Blackbirds are a cacophony across the street. Eastern Phoebes, Chipping Sparrows, and Eastern Towhees are all back in the area. The American Woodcocks are out lekking in full force on the hilltops and open fields near marshes. The Saw-Whet Owls have moved on. Migration is in full swing.

With all this return to outdoor activity, we have seen an upswing of injured and ill backyard chickens through the clinic doors. Most patients have presentations typical for our area: dog attacks, Marek’s disease in unvaccinated flocks, bumblefoot. One case earlier this month was a little out of the ordinary, though: a two-year old Blue Maran hen with her head hung low, crop distended, lethargic. A chicken clinical for lead poisoning is uncommon, but her levels were too high to read on our in-clinic LeadCare reader. We frequently see waterfowl and raptors through the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia with clinical signs of lead toxicosis from lead sinkers or shot, but we don’t often think about lead from old paint, air pollution, and soil when it comes to poultry and domestic waterfowl. It makes me wonder how often we’re missing subclinical blood lead elevations in domestic fowl, especially as their numbers are ever-increasing through our clinic doors. Backyard poultry and duck keeping is on the rise, and there is more and more evidence that lead can concentrate subclinically in the eggs and meat of these birds, posing an additional threat to public health. 

Driving to work through Morgantown, with its long industrial energy history, I watch the plumes of smoke from the FirstEnergy Corp and Longview power companies far off, and wonder how pollutants in the air and soil are affecting not only our poultry, but wildlife and ourselves. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States regulates the disposal of lead-containing wastes and discharge of lead-containing emissions, but a lot of leeway is given for state and local agencies to set safety levels for their respective areas. “National Ambient Air Quality Standards” are set for heavy metal contaminants in power plant emissions (such as arsenic, mercury, and lead). Coal-fired plants, still common throughout Appalachia, the US South and Midwest, release 386,000 tons of hazardous waste air pollutants annually in the US, accounting for over 40% of all hazardous air emissions in the states. These plants are built around older houses, which were built before lead-based paint was banned in the United States in 1978. Areas of heavy motor vehicle traffic near industry show evidence of leaded gasoline fallout in their soils (leaded gasoline was only fully banned in the mid-90s in the USA), and will for many years to come. These more insidious modes for lead intoxication of wildlife and poultry are harder to define than gunshot or fishing gear, but are just as important as threats to avian, animal, and human health.

To learn more about how lead and other pollutant regulation affects you, look into the disclosure statements of power plants and other large industries in your area. Visit the EPA’s website to look into federal standards and current safety levels. Learn about bioamplification in species who feed on soil-dwelling organisms, and pay attention to reports of waterway contamination near your area of practice. Urge local politicians to take a stand on more stringent regulation of emissions and waste-dumping into waterways and landfills. Encourage pediatric testing of blood lead, and avoid feeding children eggs from backyard poultry without testing your soil first. Contact your local University’s agricultural program and ask about soil testing for lead, and offer this to your clients who have or are planning to start keeping backyard poultry. As with many growing citizen science initiatives, growing numbers of backyard flocks could start to act as sentinels for environmental contamination, bringing more attention to the inadequacy of regulations currently in place. A One Health approach to a poultry problem could add additional weight to an argument for better emissions laws for wildlife and us all.

Behmke, S., Fallon, J., Duerr, A. E., Lehner, A., Buchweitz, J., & Katzner, T. (2015). Chronic lead exposure is epidemic in obligate scavenger populations in eastern North America. Environment international, 79, 51-55.

“Emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal-Fired Power Plants.” Colorado State University, Environmental Health & Engineering. Accessed 27 March, 2019. https://www.csu.edu/cerc/researchreports/documents/EmissionsOfHazardousAirPollutantsFromCoal-FiredPowerPlants2011.pdf

“Lead in Soils.” University of Illinois Extension. Accessed 27 March, 2019. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/bdo/downloads/24293.pdf

“Lead Laws and Regulations.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed 27 March, 2019. https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-laws-and-regulations

Leibler, J. H., Basra, K., Ireland, T., McDonagh, A., Ressijac, C., Heiger-Bernays, W., & Rosenbaum, M. (2018). Lead exposure to children from consumption of backyard chicken eggs. Environmental research, 167, 445-452.

Mordarski, Daniel C., Leibler, Jessica C., Talmadge, Carolyn C., Wolfus, Gregory M., Pokras, Mark A.& Rosenbaum, Marieke H. (2018). Subclinical Lead Exposure Among Backyard Chicken Flocks in Massachusetts. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 32(3), 185-193. 

Here in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States we have gotten a couple of late-winter snowfalls. Despite this, the spring flowers and trees are beginning to bloom and the days are lengthening. It is an exciting time of year for birders, nature lovers, gardeners, and warm-weather enthusiasts as we anticipate the coming spring. It is also an exciting time of year for our early spring migratory birds as they begin to make their way to their northern breeding grounds.

Each spring since 1993, bird conservationists in the western hemisphere have celebrated Migratory Bird Day. In 2019, the Environment for the Americas have joined the Convention on Migratory Species and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds to create a single, global bird conservation education campaign leading up to the actual event on May 11th. “World Migratory Bird Day” will be celebrated by hundreds of organizations around the world and bring attention to one of nature’s most spectacular events. This year, the theme for Bird Day is “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution.” For details on how you can help reduce plastic pollution in your everyday lives, check out the June 2018 AAV Conservation Note.

Spring migration is a thrill for bird watchers, but it is also an incredible example of our interconnectedness with each other. The natural world does not recognize international borders – conservation can only succeed through collaboration. World Migratory Bird Day is an ideal opportunity to educate people and engage the next generation of conservationists. If your local organization would like to join in the celebration next year, check out the resources available at https://www.migratorybirdday.org/.

Photo credits: A grebe receiving treatment at Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia (left); Louisiana waterthrush (right), photo by Steve Gosser.

Here in West Virginia, the impacts of the natural gas, oil, wind, and coal energy industries are written into the land, and as much a part of the backdrop to daily life as are the songbirds who migrate in and out of here with the seasons. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique which has been used in the oil and natural gas industry since the early 1900s in the US which is currently experiencing growth as a technique to open up previously inaccessible deposits under shale formations. This technique is attractive to gas and oil developers hoping to increase national petroleum production, but many concerns have been brought up about its environmental impacts. Over 65 toxins identified in a recent groundwater analysis in West Virginia have been found in areas far downstream from wells, and fracturing fluid directly from the wells has to be handled very carefully. After injecting this fluid, which includes “proppant” (sand or other types of grit), millions of gallons of water, and chemicals such as endocrine disruptors (polyaromatic hydrocarbons, long chain fatty acids), acids, radioactive minerals, heavy metals, salts, and gas and oil by-products, companies employing fracking are in charge of controlling the wastes produced. Since no two companies use the same combinations of injection liquids, standard biohazard disposal procedures and appropriate controls to minimize environmental contamination are lacking. Iatrogenic earthquakes, spills, emissions polluting the air, and industrial fires associated with wells have occurred with the technique and furthered habitat destruction. As in any extraction-focused operation, contaminants are a big part of the problem, but habitat fragmentation and proliferation of areas experiencing the “edge-effect” due to development of access roads can disrupt wildlife and watersheds just as severely.

In the United States, the current federal administration has rolled back many laws protecting threatened and endangered species and habitat, opening up opportunities for fracking in sensitive ecosystems that support charismatic bird species like the Greater Sage Grouse. The Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management have recently lifted protections for critical habitat for the endangered Sage Grouse in Utah and Colorado. Other areas where extensive shale deposits are present, such as Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Montana, the Dakotas, and Texas, also face serious impacts from fracking development. Since 2009 in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, PhD candidate Mack Frantz and National Aviary ornithologist Steve Latta have been studying “indicator species” such as the Louisiana Waterthrush as examples of how fracking can impact wild bird populations and their ecosystems. They first proved the presence of fracking chemicals and heavy metal components in songbird gastrointestinal contents and feathers, and are now hard at work characterizing the negative impacts of fracking on their reproductive success. The preliminary results indicate that songbirds, particularly those dependent on fragile riparian stream habitats, like waterthrushes, could face serious population declines with the impact fracking has on food availability and decreased fitness from exposure to environmental contaminants. In addition to those studies, wildlife veterinarians in Pennsylvania and West Virginia also see more debilitated, oil-contaminated waterbirds coming into their clinics after being exposed to frac water and hydraulic waste wells: the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia has taken in several grebes brought to the center from fracking operations.

So, as a vet, what can you do to help raise awareness of fracking impact on your local songbird species? During the Obama administration, FracFocus was a database put together to increase transparency of companies employing fracking, allowing citizens in areas involved to read exactly what chemicals were being employed to achieve extraction at certain wells. The American Bird Conservancy and Audubon Society are both engaging in lawsuits attempting to hold the government to their promise of protecting Greater Sage Grouse habitat under the Endangered Species Act. As a concerned avian veterinarian, you can educate yourself on where fracking is occurring near you and what species have the potential to be impacted, and use that knowledge to lend your voice to petitions to local and state representatives that have power over the future of anti-fracking legislation. If you work for a wildlife center, increasing public awareness of cases of birds coming in oiled or with suspect heavy metal or other toxicoses can increase evidence of the profound environmental impact of fracking. Visiting the Oiled Wildlife Care Network and encouraging continuing education on oiled bird triage and hospital support are ways to directly help affected birds. Fracking occurs in 42 states in the U.S.A., is widely employed in China and other countries, and it is becoming increasingly popular across countries in Latin America, like Bolivia and Colombia. Though writing from a US perspective, this is a threat to avian and ecosystem health that our membership will see on an international scale.

References: 
https://fracfocus.org/
https://www.fractracker.org/about-us/
https://www.audubon.org/news/birds-flee-face-fracking
https://abcbirds.org/program/esa-and-public-lands/greater-sage-grouse/
https://news.mongabay.com/2013/11/fracking-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

Brittingham, Margaret C., et al. "Ecological risks of shale oil and gas development to wildlife, aquatic resources and their habitats." Environmental science & technology 48.19 (2014): 11034-11047.

Drohan PJ, Brittingham M, Bishop J, Yoder K (2012) Early trends in landcover change and forest fragmentation due to shale-gas development in Pennsylvania: a potential outcome for the North Central Appalachians. Environ Manage 49:1061–1075

Frantz, M. W., Wood, P. B., Sheehan, J., & George, G. (2018). Demographic response of Louisiana Waterthrush, a stream obligate songbird of conservation concern, to shale gas development. The Condor, 120(2), 265-282.

Latta, S. C., Marshall, L. C., Frantz, M. W., & Toms, J. D. (2015). Evidence from two shale regions that a riparian songbird accumulates metals associated with hydraulic fracturing. Ecosphere, 6(9), 1-10.

Kassotis, Christopher D., et al. "Endocrine disrupting activities of surface water associated with a West Virginia oil and gas industry wastewater disposal site." Science of the Total Environment 557 (2016): 901-910.

Small, Mitchell J., et al. "Risks and risk governance in unconventional shale gas development." (2014): 8289-8297

As avian practitioners, we at the AAV tend to showcase our majestic raptor patients, our charismatic psittacines, and flashy domestic poultry over the rarer songbird patient. These species are the ones which humans are most likely to interact with as pets or in wildlife education, but those of us in wildlife or zoo practice know that a whole spectrum of songbirds exist: over 6,000 avian species in the world are Passerines, compared to just over 500 species of raptors and just under 400 species of Psittacines. Every practitioner has seen these sometimes cryptic, often melodic birds in the trees around their clinic, or through their wildlife clinic doors as victims of window strikes, cat attacks, glue-traps in warehouses, and yard work or construction nest failures. Songbirds, especially migratory populations, face serious anthropogenic challenges at every turn.

In recent decades in the United States, biologists and wildlife vets have increasingly advocated for models of conservation of migrants that integrate the study of breeding, migratory, and non-breeding habitat across continents to better understand where the greatest threats occur to species. This has been called the “Full Annual Cycle” approach to migratory songbird population studies, and has allowed scientists to better focus conservation efforts in the areas where migrants face the highest mortality risks. Habitat loss in neotropical areas, and cat-attacks or window strikes in North America, and climate change affecting food availability or migratory conditions all play a role in decreasing populations. With the increasing use of lightweight satellite transmitters in addition to traditional banding methods for songbirds, scientists are getting a better idea of where species stay when they are not breeding in North America, and how they get there. Species like the Blackburnian Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager are facing challenges in their overwintering grounds in the Andes mountains due to severe deforestation. Window strikes, especially those from skyscrapers in urban areas across migratory routes, cause mortality in North American species estimated between 365 and one billion songbirds a year, including additional taxa members such as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and migrating hawks.

As a veterinarian in any practice, increasing awareness among your clientele is a great way of contributing to songbird conservation. Doing your part to conserve all avian species involves educating clientele about keeping cats indoors (especially during songbird breeding season), directing those interested to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) for tips on bird-safe glass or using ABC anti-collision window tape in approved patterns, and increasing a public appreciation of the beauty and ecological importance of songbirds through local nature walks, contributing to a local Audubon chapter, or sponsoring a team in a local Christmas Bird Count. In many towns, bird banding operations using mist-netting are open and eager to groups hoping to learn more about our more flighty, small wild neighbors. There may be a group doing songbird mortality counts in the fall and the spring during migration, such as the Fatal Light Awareness Group, or BirdSafe (located in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA). Volunteering a morning or evening with local biologists and conservationists can make both a huge impression on participants, and a difference for songbirds in your area.

Learn more about neotropical migrant songbird species across the continents by following Audubon or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s activities this spring during the peak of migratory activity from March to June. Happy birding to all North and South American AAV members from us here at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in West Virginia!

References:

Robinson, S.K., J.W. Fitzpatrick, and J. Terborgh. Distribution and habitat use of Neotropical migrant landbirds in the Amazon Basin and Andes. Bird Conservation International 5:305-323. 1995.

Faaborg, John, et al. "Recent advances in understanding migration systems of New World land birds." Ecological monographs 80.1 (2010): 3-48.

https://abcbirds.org/program/glass-collisions/

https://www.partnersinflight.org/

https://www.flap.org/

https://birdsafepgh.org/

http://birdcast.info/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/the-basics-how-why-and-where-of-bird-migration/

I am sitting here, in the Sonoran Desert, contemplating my next “sermon” on avian conservation. Overhead, the tropical remnants of a second hurricane to reach our area is bringing needed rain; a strange rain for the inland desert, but needed. These past months have been momentous for many reasons, as rain in the desert: the international Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference was in session in London; the report for the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was released; a second major typhoon traveled the western Pacific; Hurricane Michael devastated the southeastern USA; seabirds are starving in the Pacific; migratory birds are at increasing risk all along their routes of travel.

We face the conflux of two potentially catastrophic issues in avian conservation: rampant, rapacious and cruel wildlife trafficking; and imminent, severe and devastating climate change. At immediate and critical risk are organisms dear to all avian veterinarians, the psittacines and songbirds; and in addition, for some of us not in clinical practice, the hornbills, vultures, shorebirds, and seabirds.

Cultural traditions, greed, and organized crime are depopulating vast swaths of land of their endemic songbirds, from Southeast Asia, to the Philippines, and across Indo-Malay-Wallacean geographic regions. Organized wildlife trafficking for the pet and collector trade is forcing the majority of psittacine species on all continents toward eventual extinction. Greed, organized crime and collector mania for non-elephant ivory and live bird collections are wiping out entire populations of hornbill species.

Our patients bring us great joy, curiosity and mysteries, and provide our livelihood. Yet some of that work results from and promulgates trafficking. We owe it to each and every bird we see in practice, in our institutions, or our work in the field, to be aware of and educated about the animal trafficking business. We need to understand the implications of climate change on the wild populations of common companion birds. We are uniquely situated to educate ourselves and our clients, bosses, employees, fellow researchers, friends and family. Stopping the demand for wild-caught birds as pets or collectibles starts with the every-day-average person taking exception and speaking out. Speaking to one child, to one over-worked mother, to one impoverished man; to one councilman, to one governor; to one farmer; to one pet shop owner, to one villager, to one friend, might change the future. And every veterinarian knows every one of those people. Collectively we have a powerful and compassionate and intelligent voice.

The reality of climate change and concern over wildlife trafficking can be overwhelming, even depressing. However, as veterinarians we can be active agents of positive change. We can help encourage individuals in the pet trade to eliminate the possibility of bringing in wild-caught birds. We can discuss the natural history of the pet psittacines we see in practice to educate bird owners on risks to wild populations of the species they love. We can celebrate the strange rain in the desert, rather than fear it.

IPCC Global Warming of 1.5ºC http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/

Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference London:2018 https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/london-conference-on-the-illegal-wildlife-trade-2018

#endwildlifecrime

ICUN http://support.iucnredlist.org Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

By: Robert Groskin, DVM, AAV Executive Director

As part of the AAV’s Strategic Plan to increase the AAV’s presence in the greater avian community, the AAV reached out to the conveners of the 2018 International Ornithological Congress to determine how we could participate in the congress. As a result, the AAV was invited to present several sessions as part of the 2018 IOCongress in Vancouver, BC in August 2018. The AAV sponsored talks by Dr. Michelle Hawkins, Dr. Joanne Paul-Murphy and Dr. Scott Echols.

Dr. Hawkins and Dr. Paul-Murphy presented a half-day session at the Congress on ‘Avian Welfare from the Veterinary Perspective.’ Dr. Paul-Murphy’s presentation was a review of avian euthanasia principles, including a synopsis of her prospective study recently published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research. Dr. Hawkins offered a presentation on recognizing and treating pain in birds, as well as up-to-date information on response differences to pain medications we are detecting between bird species.

Dr. Echols offered two presentations, ‘The Grey Parrot Anatomy Project-An Update’ and showed a 60 minute movie, ‘Guacamayeros-Protectors of Peru’s Amazon’ giving viewers a glimpse into the lives of Guacamayeros working in Peru’s remote Tambopata Reserve and their mission to study the various aspects of the ecology of large macaws and parrots in the Amazon basin.

AAV Member Report from the IOCongress

By: Patricia Latas, DVM, AAV Conservation Committee Member

I was fortunate to attend the 2018 International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver BC, Canada, in August 2018. I was there mainly as a member of the Working Group Psittaciformes (WPG) for a day-long symposium prior to the main conference; and attended as well many psittacine presentations within the main congress. Attendees in the WPG included researchers from southern South America to London, Southeast Asia to Southern California, representing most of the globe.

AAV provided several special sessions at the congress. Dr. Joanne Paul-Murphy presented a session on the welfare issues involved with avian field euthanasia. She has just published a prospective study entitled "Comparison of intraosseous pentobarbital administration and thoracic compression for euthanasia of anesthetized sparrows (Passer domesticus) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)" in the American Journal of Veterinary Research that is being very well received by the ornithological community. Her presentation discussed the most humane approaches to field and home avian euthanasia. Dr. Michelle Hawkins spoke about recognizing and treating pain in birds. This is her main area of research and she has published numerous manuscripts and book chapters on this topic. One of the most exciting current areas of discussion is regarding opioid receptor functionality and/or resistance amongst different species, thus different species respond differently or not at all to one or more of these medications. Dr. Scott Echols gave an update on the Grey Parrot Anatomy Project, an interdisciplinary collaboration designed to define the anatomy of one species of bird and develop new technology that can be applied across numerous species from insects to humans. He also hosted a round table discussion about the Guacamayeros working in Peru’s remote Tambopata Reserve. The Guacamayeros study the various aspects of the ecology of large macaws and parrots to help us better understand the interactions among clay lick use, food supply, breeding season, breeding success, abundance, and movements.

A sense of urgency regarding the global status of psittacines pervaded the presentations and discussions. A feeling of imminent peril was palpable, from habitat destruction of great swathes of landscape, to climate change, to acute anthropogenic impact and animal trafficking, to disease and shifting genetics. The message is that a great amount of data and rigorous field studies are becoming available, delineating basic natural history of the parrots of the world. It is time for policy makers to take notice.

The WGP discussions included the challenges of re-introductions and translocations, from genetic risks to the many issues of releasing birds confiscated from trafficking; selections of candidates for release, both ex-situ and in-situ sourcing; locating, maintaining, and protecting appropriate sites for release. Other conference sessions included impact and opportunities of urban parrot populations, evolution, cognition, personality, tracking, breeding and nesting, and many posters. All these topics could greatly benefit from increased veterinary input and expertise. And sadly, many presentations articulated the devastating impact of animal trafficking on all avian species, to the point of extinction and vast, silent forests. Adjunct activities by the Artists for Conservation included a “Silent Skies” mural of 600+ species of birds at risk of immediate extinction: so, so many of the panels illustrated psittacines and songbirds; and so many of those are familiar patients in many a bird vet’s office.

Why is this important to the members of AAV? Veterinary engagement and expertise within the ornithological organizations are sparse indeed. Veterinarians with experience in biological field techniques and skills are few and far between, and I personally fear that the interest amongst avian-oriented veterinarians in field biology is minimal as well. We need to bridge these gaps and offer valuable knowledge we have accumulated as diagnosticians, clinicians, and observers of psittacine behavior and wellness. Time is running out for many species of psittacines, and there is no margin for "turfiness" or academic territoriality.

Why should these issues matter to the veterinarian with avian patients? First, morally: the veterinarian owes it to the ancestors of their avian patients to know what is going on globally and with wild populations. The veterinarian should be fully aware of the enormous upswing in animal trafficking and all the problems associated with it, including population extinctions, loss of habitat, and disease introduction. As an avian vet, you may actually encounter trafficked species in your local bird fair or pet shop. Your clients may unwittingly purchase and present them to you. Secondly, field biology, data, observations and investigations can directly assist the quality care of avian patients. So little information as to “what is normal” has been available to veterinarians in the past, but now there are literally hundreds of publications and mountains of data. And, thirdly, avian veterinarians can actively help and contribute to biological investigations.

As responsible members of the bird community, avian veterinarians should do their part to learn about and contribute to the knowledge about birds, wherever those birds might be. The International Ornithological Union has very reasonable membership fees; local field ornithologists’ organizations are widely distributed; and many ornithological publications are free or easy access. There is no excuse for us to be ignorant of the information, or plight, of the birds of the world.

Poster from Japan

Just 30 of the 600+ panels in the Artists for Conservation “Silent Skies” mural.

**Edited 08/06/2018**

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a landmark piece of legislation that is designed to protect imperiled species from extinction. The ESA was signed into law by Richard Nixon in 1973, and has been critical in preventing population declines and extinction or extirpation of many species of animals and plants, including birds such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, whooping crane, Kirtland’s Warbler, Hawaiian goose, California least tern, and many others.

On July 25th, the Department of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively “the Service”) issued a document proposing a number of changes to the ESA. The proposals respond in part to stakeholder comments submitted to FWS last year as a result of Executive Order “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda.” There are many proposed changes (118 pages of text) to the ESA, some of which are benign, but a number of which will alter the intent of the ESA and reduce the protections it affords endangered and threatened species.

One of the proposed changes eliminates protection for species newly listed or reclassified as “threatened.” The service proposes that these species “would have protective regulations only if the Service promulgates a species-specific rule (also referred to as a special rule).” If a species is newly listed as threatened or is moved from endangered classification to threatened, it would have protective regulations only if the Service elects to pursue additional rules. This suggests that if a species, say the Northern Alpomado Flacon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), has its status reclassified from endangered to threatened due to successful conservation efforts, the species by default would no longer have protective regulations under the ESA. This change would without a doubt weaken the ESA.

Another contentious proposed change is narrowing the definition of “foreseeable future.” The changes would allow the Service to define the timeline of foreseeable future “on a case-by-case basis” only so far into the future as the Services determines that the “danger of extinction in the foreseeable future are probable.” The main concern is that this change in language will encourage interpretation of threats on too limited a time scale. In particular, this change may discourage the use of long-term models (think shrinking sea ice and rising seas threatening polar bears over decades) which may no longer be considered.

Finally, the ESA currently requires the Service to make determinations of endangered species and protection of critical habitat based “solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available after conducting a review of the status of the species…without reference to possible economic or other impacts of such determination.” The service has proposed to remove the phrase “without reference to possible economic or other impacts of such determination.” The implication of removing this phrase is obvious - the economics of protecting critical habitat for endangered species would become an important part of the discussion when considering listing species as endangered. The ESA was never intended to consider the economic impact when listing a species as endangered or threatened.

The public comment period remains open until September 24th. Go to https://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/regulation-revisions.html to find out more information. If you are concerned with these proposed changes, please voice your opinion and encourage the organizations that you are associated with to make their concerns known. The AAV Conservation and Legislative Committees are working together on a public response to these proposed changes.

Jesse Fallon
AAV Conservation Chair

Plastics are used in almost every aspect of our lives.  They have brought about an enormous number of innovations that make our lives more productive and more convenient.  We all are aware of the longevity of plastic in the environment, with water bottles taking nearly 500 years to decompose and plastic bags remaining in the environment for up to 1000 years.  Plastic waste is not only an eyesore and damages ecosystems, but is also increasing recognized as a problem for birds and other wildlife that become entangled or ingest these items. More than 700 species, including many shorebirds and pelagic birds, have been documented to become entanglement or have ingested plastic waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that each individual produces about 4 pounds of refuse every day. National Geographic reported that as of 2015 there were 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean, estimating that there will be 250 million metric tons of plastic in the oceans by 2025. This plastic accumulates in enormous rafts in oceans where there is little current. This year, Conservation Through Public Health (http://www.ctph.org/) has organized #BeatPlasticPollution, which aims to spread awareness of the problem plastics pose to environmental health.

Fortunately, this is one conservation issue that we can all contribute to.  Here are 5 easy ways you can help reduce plastic pollution and help conserve birds:

1.       Choose reusable cloth bags

Plastic bags continue to be a big contributor to environmental damage.  These bags are light enough to be carried by the wind, float on water, and have been reported to be the cause of death in many species of wildlife that ingest them.  Choose reusable or paper bags.

2.       Plastic straws

This handy invention is nearly ubiquitous at restaurants and can wreak havoc on wildlife. For most people, this is a convenience that you can forgo. Next time you order a drink, tell the server that you do not need a straw – the drink will be just as refreshing without. If you need to use straws at home, there are non-plastic options that are reusable or biodegrade much more quickly including paper, aluminum, or bamboo straws.

3.       Plastic disposable water bottles

These plastic bottles are convenient, but potable tap water is usually readily available (and much less expensive).  Reusable metal bottles can last a lifetime. 

4.       Balloons

Most balloons are made of plastic, and when they get away, they can travel for thousands of miles before touching down. Some birds mistake them for food, and others choose them for nesting material. Celebrate without balloons.

5.       Plastic cups

Plastic cups have become a staple at parties. If disposable cups are necessary for your next celebration, choose paper cups which biodegrade much more quickly.

Since 1993, bird lovers in the western hemisphere have celebrated International Migratory Bird Day on the second weekend in May. The celebration of spring migration occurred as planned again this year, but under a different, more encompassing framework. In 2018, the 25^th anniversary of the first Migratory Bird Day celebration, Environment for the Americas joined the Convention on Migratory Species and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds to create a single, global bird conservation education campaign. World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated by hundreds of organizations around the world and brought attention to one of nature’s most spectacular events.

Spring migration is a thrill for bird watchers, but it is also an incredible example of our interconnectedness with each other. The natural world does not recognize international borders – conservation can only succeed through collaboration. Migratory Bird Day is an ideal opportunity to educate people and engage the next generation of conservationists. If your local organization would like to join in the celebration next year, check out the resources available at http://www.migratorybirdday.org/resources/. 

This month, the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia (www.accawv.org) admitted a pied-billed grebe that was retrieved from an uncovered waste pond containing hydraulic fracturing liquid. This waste material, used to fracture shale formations in order to access and extract natural gas, contains a variety of chemical compounds. These “frac pond” birds typically present with severe contact dermatitis, gastrointestinal ulceration, loss of waterproofing, and anemia and have a poor prognosis.

We have historically reported these types of incidents to US Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement. However, a recent memo from a Department of Interior solicitor appointed by the current administration states that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is no longer considered applicable to incidental take. That is, birds that are killed during routine activities of energy companies are not subject to federal interference or forced mitigation unless the activities are intended specifically to kill birds. Therefore, reporting this types of incident has become unnecessary.

There is no doubt that the world we live in needs reliable, stable energy sources. Further, small-scale, isolated “incidental take” (e.g., vehicle collisions) are unavoidable. However, common sense policies, such as covering waste ponds and requiring incidental take permits for large-scale energy extraction or production in an effort to prevent or mitigate unnecessary damage to wildlife, seem a reasonable expectation. Based on the current memorandum (M-37050), the MBTA is no longer a tool to encourage companies to limit incidental take.

Despite aggressive treatment at intake, the grebe that was recovered from the waste pond died shortly after admission.

To read the memorandum, see: https://www.doi.gov/solicitor/opinions

For more details about entrapment as a cause of bird mortality see: https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/threats-to-birds/entrapment-entanglement-drowning.php

For those of us that work in wild bird rehabilitation, we are very familiar with window strike patients. Songbirds, raptors, hummingbirds, and waterfowl are all at risk for collisions with reflective glass that is mistaken for open habitat. Some of these patients are successfully treated for trauma, but many do not survive or are not releasable.

On a continent-wide scale, collisions with manmade objects likely kill more than a billion birds a year. The highest risk structures are tall, predominately glass covered buildings found in urban centers. Communication towers are also a problem, particularly for nocturnal migrants (e.g., most songbirds). When these buildings and towers are well lit throughout the night, the risk for bird collisions increases. Another well-known risk is collisions with wind turbines, which are an increasingly common renewable energy resource.

The good news is that bird collisions can be reduced with awareness, good planning, and enforcement. Homeowners can add material to their windows that can help birds recognize the glass as an object that should be avoided. Examples of these products can be found here: https://abcbirds.org/get-involved/bird-smart-glass/. Large skyscrapers can reduce the risk of collisions by turning off bright lights at night and installing bird-safe glass in windows. Preparation and planning for wind turbine placement is key for reducing the risk to migrating birds. Over the past 20 years researchers have learned some of the characteristics that birds like golden eagles and other raptors use as migratory pathways. Simply placing turbines away from these corridors reduces risk. Likewise, installing technology that can anticipate potential collisions can reduce collision risk to individual birds, including the endangered California condor (see http://www.audubon.org/magazine/spring-2018/how-new-technology-making-wind-farms-safer-birds). Finally, enforcing local and national laws, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in North America, can encourage energy production companies and city planners to consider bird safety in planning projects.

For more details on the top causes of avian mortality, see: https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/threats-to-birds.php.

The year 2018 is a big year for birds in North America and around the world. It is the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) – an important piece of legislation that continues to save birds throughout North America. In addition, conservation partners National Geographic, BirdLife International, National Audubon, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, as well as more than 150 participating organization, have joined forces to declare 2018 “Year of the Bird.”

Throughout 2018, partner organizations are celebrating birds across all of forms of communication—magazines, television, radio, and social media. The most important component of Year of The Bird, however, is individual participation. During Year of the Bird, bird lovers around the world can take simple actions each month to contribute to bird conservation. For example, in February (16th – 19th) individuals can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count. This fun, easy activity has been underway for more than 2 decades, and contributes to a global body of research.  This type of long-term, huge database citizen science research is critically important to evaluate widespread trends in bird populations.

To be part of Year of the Bird go to: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/year-of-the-bird/ and begin receiving the monthly newsletter and a list of activities that you can do to help protect the world’s birds. To participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count see: http://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird-count . Help us celebrate the Year of the Bird!

In March of 2018, bird and nature lovers in North America will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This law has protected birds through a century of human population expansion and remarkable economic growth. In combination with the Endangered Species Act, this law has helped prevent or reverse the decline of many species native to North America.

Unfortunately, the MBTA, the United States’ cornerstone bird conservation law, is under attack. A last-minute amendment added to the “SECURE American Energy Act” HR 4239 in late 2017 would end any enforcement of incidental “take” of bird species protected under the MBTA. This means that energy companies and other industries would no longer be held responsible in any way for bird deaths resulting from their activities.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), consistent with its mission to contribute to the conservation of birds, is actively opposing HR 4239 because it removes the ability to enforce violations of the MBTA in the United States. This proposal, which will be debated as early as January 2018, would be a dangerous step backward in bird conservation. Like AAV, many other North American bird conservation organizations including National Audubon, American Birding Association, and the American Bird Conservancy, are encouraging their members to contact their US representatives to urge them to vote NO to this bill in its current form. See: http://www.aav.org/stophr4239 for more information or to join AAV in our opposition to this irresponsible bill.

Yes we can. There are many success stories from 2017. Here are a few:

1. Two species of kiwi (Rowi AKA Okarito Kiwi and Northern Brown Kiwi) found in New Zealand have been downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable. These incredible birds owe their recovery to nearly 30 years of dedication from government bodies and local conservation groups. These efforts were able to reduce the impact of invasive species predation from stoats, ferrets, and feral cats and helped increase juvenile survival from 5% to 60%.
2. The Lear's Macaw of Brazil is now steadily increasing in numbers due in large part to intensive conservation action. In the 1980s the entire population was estimated to be about 70 individuals, and as of this year there are more than 700 birds, with the number of mature individuals approximating 250.
3. During the 2017 reproductive season, two new breeding sites for the endangered Northern Bald Ibis were discovered on two distinct coastal cliffs north of Tamri, Morocco. Adults were identified incubating at least three confirmed active nests, bringing the number of wild breeding pairs to record of 122. Although far from recovered, this iconic bird has had its first increase in breeding success in many years.

In August of this year, the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) released the State of the Birds 2017: Farm Bill Special Report. This Report is a collaborative effort of more than 28 government agencies, conservation organizations, and bird initiatives showcasing the benefits of Farm Bill conservation programs for birds, farmers, and rural communities. The Agricultural Act of 2014, the most recent Farm Bill, is set to expire in 2018 and discussion is already underway for a replacement act. 

The Farm Bill historically was intended to help control and ensure an adequate food supply. While nutrition and food supply concerns are the primary focus of the Farm Bill, it also secures important habitat for hundreds of bird species and is one of the largest sources of funding for habitat conservation on private lands. Implementation of Farm Bill conservation programs can help private lands support species like eastern and western meadowlarks, sage grouse, northern pintails, and Henslow’s sparrows as well as migratory shorebirds. The NABCI report indicates that wetland bird species that were previously declining have instead shown a 51 percent increase since the 1990 addition of wetland easements to the Farm Bill. 

The NABCI report highlights four priorities to include in the 2018 Farm Bill. The NABCI would like to increase Farm Bill conservation funding, enhance the capacity of Farm Bill public-private partnerships, strengthen the impact of Farm Bill conservation programs on priority species, and support the use of science to maximize conservation effectiveness. Keep an eye on this important piece of legislation to be in the news next year and encourage your representatives in the US House and Senate to support conservation components of this bill.

For more information see: http://www.stateofthebirds.org/2017/ 

Fall migration is well underway in the western hemisphere as many species of birds are moving to warmer climates in preparation for the upcoming winter. Different species use different migration strategies – some move short distances gradually, others make frequent stops to refuel, and still others will make non-stop direct flights over enormous distances. Migration is a dangerous time for birds, as fat reserves and safe stopover sites are limited. In an effort to maximize energy acquisition and limit expenditure and to minimize risk of predation, many species of small song birds such as warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, tanagers, orioles, and others are nocturnal migrants. Often, these birds will move at night in loose, interspecies flocks and then land during the day to forage and rest.

Birds use a variety of strategies to determine how, when, and where to migrate. Navigation is likely based on a combination of senses including visual recognition of the position of the sun and moon, detection of magnetic fields (magnetoception), cognitive recognition of habitats, formation of mental maps, and even olfaction. One of the primary anthropogenic threats to small nocturnal migrants are bright, artificial lights that can attract and disorient birds at night. The brightest and most problematic of these artificial lights are associated with tall buildings. This combination leads to often-fatal collisions or simply confusion and circling, causing lost time during migration and exhaustion. Tired birds will land in city environments where food resources are limited and urban threats such as vehicles and outdoor cats are present in high density.

Over the past several years, scientists from Cornell and New York Audubon have had a unique opportunity to study and quantify the effect of the lights associated with the 9/11 “Tribute in Light Memorial” in New York City which use two bright spotlights to shine upward at the former location of the twin towers. Over several years, researchers recorded bird density near the installation and found that it was 20 times greater than surrounding areas while the lights were on. The memorial coordinators agreed to turn the lights off for 20 minutes – and the increased bird activity returned to normal levels within minutes. The data confirms that bright lights can alter the behavior of nocturnal migrants. 

“Lights Out” is a nationwide effort in the US to reduce this problem. Audubon, the coordinating organization of this effort, says that the strategy is simple: “By convincing building owners and managers to turn off excess lighting during the months migrating birds are flying overhead, we help to provide them safe passage between their nesting and wintering grounds.” This simple change may help to save thousands of nocturnal migrants each year. Check with your city officials and see if they are following the guidelines described by “Lights Out.” Check out http://www.audubon.org/conservation/project/lights-out for more details. 

The southern United States was hit recently by two record-breaking hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, within a one-month span of each other. Irma also caused catastrophic damage to the Caribbean islands of Barbuda, St. Martin, and others. For some of our veterinary colleagues, clients, and patients it will be a long road to return to normalcy. Our evacuation and recovery efforts have focused on our fellow humans, and veterinary team members from near and far are contributing money, supplies, and time to help keep domestic animals safe and get communities back to normal.

These extreme weather events are likely to increase in frequency as a result of climate change. Fortunately, we have meteorologists and governments to help predict severe weather events and coordinate evacuations and recovery efforts. But how do wild populations respond to these types of events? How do wild birds prepare and cope with winds of 150 miles per hour and storm surges?

There is relatively little research on how birds respond to severe storms.  We know that birds can be displaced hundreds or thousands of miles from their seasonal ranges when they become “entrained” (trapped) in a storm.  For birders, hurricane fallouts can offer a unique opportunity to see “rarities” such as terns, jaegers, and petrels that would normally be unheard of in their regions. However, we also know that hurricanes can have dramatic consequences during migration. Hurricane Wilma (2005) has been blamed for large scale mortality and a decrease of up to 50% of the population of chimney swifts in the province of Québec, Canada (Dionne et al. 2007). This suggests that hurricanes can reduce the breeding population size of some migratory bird species.

We are looking forward to a great meeting in Washington, DC in a few weeks.  There are a number of exciting conservation events planned.  If you are still undecided whether to attend the meeting or not - you should go! Register by clicking here!

1. Join us trip to nearby Patuxent Refuge, a 12,000-acre wildlife refuge and research station, Sunday, July 30, 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM. We will enjoy an early morning birding/nature walk, then will observe some of the conservation research facilities including captive sea duck dive tanks, endangered Whooping Cranes, and American kestrel and eastern screech owl colonies. We will also get a private tour of the onsite veterinary hospital. Afterwards, spend time at the Refuge Visitor Center and learn about the history and function of the nation’s only wildlife refuge devoted to research. We will return with plenty of time for the afternoon laboratories.
   
2. You are invited on to a conservation discussion with experts in the field on some of the important avian conservation issues of our time: invasive species, environmental toxins, renewable energy and climate change and their effects on wild bird populations. This panel is on Sunday July 30^th in the afternoon.  Don’t miss this excellent line-up of dynamic speakers! Get to know the panelists by clicking here.
3. Have lunch on us at the mid-day conservation event on Monday, July 31^st and hear from Steve Sarro, curator at the National Zoo!  Steve will discuss his career working with the African penguin Species Survival Plan and efforts with these fascinating birds in the wild.  Steve is an entertaining speaker and has a career of working with this remarkable species!
4. Be sure to attend the wildlife/conservation session of the conference program on August 1^st to hear from your colleagues working to benefit the wild birds that we love!
5. Do you have suggestions on how to make AAV more effective in avian conservation efforts? Don’t miss our committee meeting at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 1.

See you in DC!

Jesse Fallon, DVM

AAV Conservation Committee Chair

Summer is nearly here in the Northern Hemisphere. The temperatures are rising, the days are long, and migratory birds are feeding their nestlings and fledglings. Since 1970, there has been a general trend towards increased average global temperatures that recently has become more pronounced. In fact, 16 of the 17 warmest years have occurred since 2000. 

Climate change has the potential to influence the migration pattern of birds, and several high profile scientific studies over the past few years have found that this is already happening. Some researchers have demonstrated that many species of birds are returning to northern breeding grounds early, likely in response to earlier availability of insect prey. However, it is believed that many migrants rely primarily on lengthening days rather than temperature as a cue of when to depart their winter grounds. This is particularly true of long distance migrants. Trees and plants on the other hand respond to air and soil temperature, and many insects respond to leaves unfurling and plants growing and flowering. As temperatures warm, insects’ life cycles can begin earlier. This can result in birds arriving at a time that is mismatched with their historic food source. Birds that have a narrow range of food preferences that arrive a few days “late” may have decreased survivability or reproductive success. 

There will undoubtedly be changes in migration dynamics of birds in response to ongoing climate change. However, it is too early to know if birds that are mismatched to their food resources can adapt appropriately.

For more information see: 

• Stephen J. Mayor, Robert P. Guralnick, Morgan W. Tingley, Javier Otegui, John C. Withey, Sarah C. Elmendorf, Margaret E. Andrew, Stefan Leyk, Ian S. Pearse, David C. Schneider. Increasing phenological asynchrony between spring green-up and arrival of migratory birds. Scientific Reports, 2017; 7 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02045-z
• Usui, Takuji, Stuart HM Butchart, and Albert B. Phillimore. Temporal shifts and temperature sensitivity of avian spring migratory phenology: a phylogenetic meta-analysis.” Journal of Animal Ecology (2016).

Each year more than 350 species of migratory birds travel between their wintering habitat in Central and South America and their breeding grounds in North America. Many of these species (e.g., Wood Thrush, Cerulean Warbler, Bobolink) are in decades-long population declines. Because of the interconnectedness of the Americas and the need for bird conservation, bird enthusiasts across the hemisphere celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). Promoted heavily by the not-for-profit organization Environment for the Americas, which functions to serve their signature tagline “Conserving Birds by Connecting People,” IMBD is typically celebrated on the second Saturday in May (May 13th, 2017) in North America and October in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

For some species, migration may require flying more than 10,000 miles round trip.  During these trips, birds need to rest and refuel, and the health and safety of these stopover sites is critical to the survival. In 2017, International Migratory Bird Day celebrates the importance of these stopover habitats and encourages everyone to get involved in protecting these areas. Your own backyard may serve as a safe stopover site, especially if it provides the food, water, and foliage birds need and reduced nonnative threats including free-roaming cats. Here in Morgantown, WV, we will be celebrating with guided bird walks, kids activities, and educational programs. Check with your local bird conservation organizations to see if there are any activities this weekend!

For more information, see: http://www.migratorybirdday.org/index.html 

As an Appalachian birder, I am excited to see and hear the return of many of our Neotropical migrants. Many of these birds are striking to see – cerulean warbler, scarlet tanager, Baltimore oriole. Others produce some of the most beautiful sounds in nature – wood thrush, rose-breasted grosbeak, winter wren. Some of our year-round residents are pretty remarkable too – Northern cardinal, pileated woodpecker, blue jay. Then there are species that we tend to overlook, or even consider with some inherent distaste. Here in West Virginia, like many parts of North America, the American crow is ubiquitous, occupying many habitats, favoring those that have a well-established human presence. The species is prolific, and because it tends to thrive near people, it is often considered a nuisance. The birds’ adaptability, diversity of nest and food requirements, and problem-solving ability makes it difficult to imagine that any large corvid would have difficulty thriving. 

However, in 2002, the last known wild Aalala, also known as the Hawaiian crow (Corvus hawaiiensis), disappeared, triggering the classification of the species as extinct in the wild. Although the decline in population is not completely understood, the cause has been attributed to a combination of habitat loss (e.g., overgrazing), illegal hunting, introduced mammalian predators such as rats, feral cats and mongooses, and disease. This listing became briefly inaccurate when in late 2016, five captive-reared Hawaiian crows were released back into the wild. This was a triumph following many years effort by dozens of people. Unfortunately, the change in status was short-lived. Within weeks, three of the birds were dead, two by predation from the birds’ natural predator, the Hawaiian hawk, and the third from an undetermined cause. The remaining birds were recaptured and returned to the captive-bred population. 

Perhaps the most important lesson here is that reintroduction of critically endangered species is fraught with challenges, has uncertain outcomes, and is expensive. The time to act on behalf of an individual species is before populations have declined to these levels. It is very difficult to repopulate a species that has gone extinct in the wild; a social species with well-studied problem-solving ability is likely to be particularly challenging. True conservationists work to protect habitat and biodiversity regardless of the IUCN listing status. Waiting to contribute to conservation until we are trying to save an endangered species can lead to situations that are past the point of no return. 

Most of our neotropical migrants are still in their winter homes, but soon the vireos, warblers, orioles, thrushes, hummingbirds and others will return to their spring and summer breeding grounds. Over the past several decades, we as a nation have worked hard to provide habitat and healthy ecosystems by creating and protecting wildlife refuges, state and national forests, and wildlife management areas. We also have established laws such as the Endangered Species Act to prevent activities that may threaten individual species survival. The ESA in particular has been instrumental preventing extinction of many species of vertebrates.

For our migratory songbirds, these protections only work for a portion of their lives.  In fact, most of our neotropical migrants are in the US for only a few months of the year, with the majority of their time spent in the tropics of Central and South America.  In order to protect these species throughout their entire lives (full-life-cycle conservation), we need international cooperation among academic institutions, NGOs, and governments to encourage research and protect habitats. But, there is also work that we can all do on an individual level. Simply purchasing shade-grown and “bird friendly” coffee supports coffee farmers that maintain part of the forest canopy over their coffee crop.  While this does not exactly replicate the biodiversity present within the original forest, it does provide a great deal more habitat than typical sun-grown coffee plantations. Not all certified coffee brands follow the same guidelines, so consider purchasing coffee that has the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center seal of approval. They identify bird friendly coffee using the most stringent guidelines targeting agricultural practices that offer bird habitat.  Click here to read more: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/bird-friendly-coffee

Let us hear from you! Tell us what you love about little birds by clicking the "Comment on this post" link below! 

Wherever you go in the world, you will see little birds. Whether at a busy train station in New York City, or a pristine tropical rainforest, there will be little birds. It is easy to find them; you have to wait a long time to see a raptor.

I have had people tell me that caring for little birds in wildlife rehabilitation/rescue is “tedious” and “boring.” Since the little guys are close to my heart, I simply cannot understand this attitude! They are intelligent, responsive to care, independent, and wonderful patients. They are made of air bubbles and toothpicks, but are so amazingly resilient and tough. Yes, feeding and cleaning a hundred little baby birds can be nerve-racking, hard work; but most certainly NOT boring!

The public has long had infatuation with large, eye-catching, charismatic raptorial species. It’s easy to appreciate eagles and cranes and pelicans. Anyone who works with these birds can tell you that routine care is just as tedious and boring as that for a sparrow, and cleaning hawk or pelican poop is not exactly a sexy job. You are much more likely to suffer severe injury from momentary loss of attention. They are not the brightest bulbs in the box. They often do not do well as patients. And release to the wild can be fraught with hazards and dangers of all sorts.

Little birds, even the humble House Finch, can easily live as long as the raptors. They are more intelligent, more adaptable, and better at problem solving. Little birds are the indicators of ecosystem health and impact the environment at a much higher level than the large predatory species. Little birds are biodiverse and INTERESTING. At an average wildlife care center, there may be about 10 common species of raptors that are admitted. How many species of small birds come in? Probably dozens. They are all so very different in husbandry requirements, housing, feeding, veterinary care, release criteria, habitat requirements…and so on. How will an injured Broad-billed Hummingbird differ from a Killdeer, or a Phainopepla, for instance? How could this possibly be BORING? And there is always more to learn!

And that is why… I love little birds!

Baby bird season in the northern hemisphere is fast approaching. Consider donating time, money, equipment or supplies to your local wildlife care center. You CAN make a huge difference, and make up for some tiny amount of the anthropogenic damage inflicted on the little ones.

Let us hear from you! Tell us what you love about little birds by clicking the "Comment on this post" link below! 

The oldest living wild bird is at it again. A Laysan albatross, referred to as “Wisdom” by her fans, is at least 66 years old – and she is currently incubating an egg on the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. She was originally banded on December 10th, 1956, by Chan Robbins, who was also the biologist that happened to re-sight her in 2002. Scientists have estimated that she has traveled more than 3 million miles over the course of her 6+ decades. 

The longevity and reproductive lifespan of this endotherm is remarkable. However, what her extraordinary story also demonstrates is the importance of protecting habitat as wildlife refuges and maintaining a healthy marine habitat. Wisdom is indeed fortunate to have lived this long. Nineteen of the 21 albatross species worldwide are threatened or endangered. Threats to the species include non-native predatory mammals, breeding habitat loss, and in particular ingestion of plastic fragments floating in the ocean. The development and refinement of plastics have allowed for incredible advances in technology, medicine, energy production, agriculture, and transportation; however, plastic waste is becoming an increasing problem in our seas. Individual pieces of plastic waste can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction in birds, particularly large seabirds and scavengers. Expansive “flotillas” of plastic refuse can form to cover large swaths of open ocean, making these areas essentially dead-zones for vertebrates. 

International efforts to more closely control manufacturing, transport, and disposal of plastics are likely needed to reduce the impact on the environment. However, each of us can help reduce the burden of plastic refuse on wildlife like the albatross by limiting use (e.g., cloth instead of plastic grocery bags) and proper disposal emphasizing recycling whenever possible.  Keep an eye out for Wisdom’s egg hatching this February!

The CBC is an annual winter census of birds in the western hemisphere that is performed by volunteer birdwatchers. The event began with bird conservation in mind, and continues to serve that purpose to this day. This year will be the 117 annual CBC, with as many as 70,000 individuals participating throughout the western hemisphere. The annual bird count does not only occur in the United States, with National Audubon partners including Bird Studies Canada, bird organizations in Mexico, Nacional de Observadores de Aves, and the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt of Colombia, providing as comprehensive a dataset as possible.

This type of citizen science can provide long-term, wide-reaching data that single researchers and research institutions cannot attain. Results from the annual census provide key information on population changes over decades, and can identify trends while they are still occurring. To date, over 200 peer-reviewed articles have resulted from analysis done with CBC data. Christmas Bird Count results have also been used by U.S. federal agencies as an important basis for making policy decisions about bird conservation.

If you are a beginning, backyard bird-watcher or an expert birder I urge you to find out about your upcoming Christmas Bird Count by contacting your local Audubon chapter. This is a fun, group oriented event that helps serve to drive bird conservation throughout the western hemisphere. See http://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count for details on counts in your area.

The AAV Conservation Committee is pleased to announce our new avian conservation blog, “Conservation Note”! Take a look often and bookmark the page http://www.aav.org/conservation_blog. We hope to post new information at least monthly, so if you have bird conservation oriented information that you want to offer to our members contact Jesse Fallon (jesse@accawv.org).

What is a boon to excited birders and biologists is a major tragedy to these birds. In late summer and autumn, they gather in large groups—or rafts—in the Gulf of California, and an event of this magnitude can endanger entire populations of the more rare species and subspecies. Imagine what the tiny, 30 gm birds experienced being carried aloft by a massive storm, for several days, and being deposited over the desert, cities and freeways as the hurricane lost force, at the end of their physiological capabilities and faced with zipping traffic of freeways and blinding light pollution; exhausted, confused, terrified, alone.

Tucson Wildlife Center admitted two species of Storm-petrels, tiny birds about the size of a Barn Swallow or parrotlet. They are the graceful birds you have seen in films, that dance along the water’s surface. They have no knowledge of the desert, traffic, freeways, parking lots, lights of the city. All they have known is the open ocean, wind, waves, and darkness. At night the wet parking lots look like water, and many of these birds “strand” in exhaustion, on the hard surface of the pavement.

As a modern and cutting-edge facility, Tucson Wildlife Center is ready for many situations, but an influx of pelagic seabirds was not on the training agenda! The birds were injured from impact, and physiologically depleted from the terrifying ride on the hurricane, in desperate need of medical attention. Sadly, the two birds were both less than 50% normal body mass, and even with intensive intervention they did not survive. It was yet miraculous that any survived the terrifying trip, and lived to be discovered and brought for treatment.

Some birds can be saved and returned to the ocean. Those that die can be valuable scientific specimens, helping document the species and events, and helping direct policy to conserve the ocean’s seabirds—who are in great peril from human impact. A major weather event such as Hurricane Newton offers an opportunity to study the effects of displacement, distribution and, hopefully, return of survivors on their own. Avian veterinarians can be “first responders” in these natural catastrophes—offering aid and care for the injured and stranded birds; collecting samples, both ante- and post-mortem; collecting specimens for ornithological study. So little is known about these birds in general that any contribution, no matter how small, is significant.

As sad and tragic as this event was, it offered lessons on the valuable impact that avian veterinarians can have in the world of conservation and ecological studies. Please consider lending your knowledge and skills, and learning new knowledge and skills, with local biologists, ornithologists, birding associations, university collecting museums, environmental organizations and wildlife rescue and care organizations. You can make a difference.