Find a Dead Bird? Leave it Alone!

Tina sent me an email today saying that she had found a dead bird. I sent her a lengthy reply which, I think, bears repeating to the neighborhood:

Tina,

The bird you found was most likely a yellow-rumped warbler (affectionately known as "butter-butts" in the birding community), and not a baby. Warblers are coming through the area now in their fall/winter migration and are very tiny birds. Almost all birds you see this time of year will be adult birds (or first-year birds known as juvenals [different from 'juvenile']), due to the fact that breeding season is late spring to late summer.

Also, when you find a dead bird, its best not to handle it. First, it might be carrying disease (avian influenza, west nile virus, or salmonella, to name just a few) and at the least mites and lice. Remember, if it's dead, there was a cause of death. See article, More than 60 transmissible bird diseases (some of which are fatal) for more info.

Secondly, it is against the law. The International Migratory Bird Treaty makes it illegal to have migratory birds in your possession (dead or alive) unless you are a licensed ornithological researcher or a wildlife rehabillitator. This treaty was enacted to try and stop the illegal trade in songbirds and raptors (it is a burgeoning trade in Mexico, Central and South America).

Many of our endangered and threatened birds got that way, not so much because of activity in North America where the birds breed, but becuase of illegal activities in the birds' wintering grounds - poaching, massive killings, deforestation, clear-cutting, etc.)

We signed this treaty to help solve some of those problems in other countries, but it has unintended consequences for the "good Samaritan" who just wants to help a sick bird, or bury a dead one.

For a good general resource on laws which are related to birding, see BirdIQ.

--Rusty