This sparrow was lying on its back on the step of back porch
2007-03-11 01:59:34 · 9 answers · asked by corky65051 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
If you're concerned about the bird possibly carrying disease such as West Nile Virus, contact your local health department. They will come get the bird and test it.
In some states where cases of West Nile are common, it is strongly recommended you notify the authorities when you find a dead bird. In my state, it's the Department of Public Health, but if it's a different department in your state, they can direct you to the proper place.
2007-03-11 03:45:06 · answer #1 · answered by Buddy28 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Call your local DNR (Department of Natural Resources). Explain to them about the bird. If there is a watch in your area for bird flu or other diseases they will gladly send someone out to pick up the bird for testing. If not, they will let you know..
This type of good citizen action (calling in suspicious animal deaths) helps the DNR to track many diseases. This helps them to contain the diseases, and to warn locals that there is a problem.
I live on a farm, at the Ohio border. A mute swan was found with the bird flu H5N1 not far from where I am. So, we watch bird deaths like you wouldn't believe. If it spreads to my ducks, they'll likely all have to be put down, so I want to know ahead of time.
We've also had a couple horses die from West Nile (not my horses, but on a neighboring farm). So, I'm REALLY fanatical about the bug spray. More reason to watch what's dying, and question Why it's dying.
Call the DNR.
EDIT: Just so you know that I'm not a nutcase, they DID a local announcement of H5N1 in my area. It was a mute swan. Apparently a news release went out that they were "Mistaken" about the initial identification, and that it's a lower strain. But, I'm not taking chances. I'm putting the link to the news release.
WE were never told after the initial alert that it was anything other than H5N1. I was suprised to see that it was rescinded.
2007-03-11 07:58:17 · answer #2 · answered by Theresa A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chances are the sparrow died because it hit a window or was killed by a domestic (cat, dog) or wild (hawk) predator. When birds are dying from disease, they tend to seclude themselves, hence why it is so rare to find a dead bird.
Bird flu (avian influenza caused by the H5N1 virus) has NOT been found in the US to date. Check the CDC website if you would like more information about bird flu. The World Organisation for Animal Health also has a list of countries where bird flu has been confirmed.
2007-03-11 08:28:18 · answer #3 · answered by birdr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably hit the window. You could call a local university or museum and see if they are interested. A lot of places stuff dead birds for study specimens.
2007-03-12 05:38:55 · answer #4 · answered by Strix 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Birds can die of shock alone. Perhaps a hawk or something chased it and the little bird just died of shock. It does happen.
Cheers
Lisa
2007-03-15 01:29:17 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
throw it away it probably ran into a window or the side of your house and broke its neck.
2007-03-11 03:06:56 · answer #6 · answered by c0mplicated_s0ul 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every sparrow dies.
But not every sparrow truly lives...
2007-03-11 03:03:31 · answer #7 · answered by elsewhere_for_eight_minutes 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
give it CPR.. maybe you can fill it with helium and give it a nice home.... give it to your neighbor, the taxidermist.
bury it or throw it away! Who cares if it has injuries after it's dead?
2007-03-11 03:27:03 · answer #8 · answered by Valeria 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
a cat could have gotten it, or it has a disease.
2007-03-11 03:23:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋