Grebe and Cormorant Deaths

May, 2009

Thanks to all of you who have called in recently to report what you’ve been seeing on the Bay and to express your concern.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
Early results from necropsies on Brandt’s Cormorants and Western Grebes sent to USGS National Wildlife Health Center show that the birds were emaciated and suggest that starvation was the cause of death.  Lab results thus far do not indicate that other factors such as avian influenza, bacteria or lead were the cause of death.  There is also no concern about birds carrying the H1N1 Influenza (“Swine Flu”).

While all carcasses examined were from Monterrey Bay Area, grebes and cormorants from the SF Bay Area are showing similar indications of emaciation.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A DEAD CORMORANT OR GREBE:
From the CA Department of Fish & Game website:
“There is currently no concern regarding public health connected to this event and no need to report dead birds to wildlife agencies. The public is asked to leave dead birds where they are found. Regular surveys are being conducted by volunteer monitoring programs established by the Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries to document the number and location of dead birds.  If very large concentrations of dead birds are found, they can be reported to DFG’s Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center at (831) 469-1745.  Live birds in distress can be reported to local animal control or wildlife rehabilitation groups.  If wildlife that may be oiled or otherwise contaminated is found, this information can be reported to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-UCD-OWCN.”

In the case of a bird found with a leg band, please report band number and location information to 831-469-1745, or the Federal Bird Banding Laboratory (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/).