bird deaths, pesticides & WNV

The following information is based on direct
conversations during the last several years with Mr.
Ward Stone, NYS Wildlife Pathologist, NYSDEC.

Based on dead birds turned in to the NYS wildlife
pathology unit for examination in 1999, 2000 & 2001
the following list for cause of death is presented in
priority order:

1. Trauma (flying into buildings, transportation
vehicles, etc.)

2. Toxic Exposure
    a. pesticide exposure

3. West Nile Virus

4. other

Pesticides were the #1 sub-category in toxins and by
themselves outnumbered WNV.

Within the trauma category were numerous birds with
detectable levels of pesticides and/or WNV.

The birds may have flown into objects as a result of
receiving a toxic exposure or wnv infection.

The pesticides implicated were mainly pesticides used
in and around homes such as lawn pesticides and not
the pesticides used for wnv control.

The major pesticides implicated were the so called
"broad band insecticides" (kills a variety of insects
across the phylo-genetic spectrum)and rhodenticides.

Another major toxin implicated, largely because of
massive bird deaths in the great lakes, was botulism.

Although a micro-organism is involved, the actual
cause of death is a toxin released by the
micro-organism which is why it is in the toxin
category rather than some disease category.

We all eagerly await a publication discussing these
findings by Mr. Stone.

Robert Foster
Legislative Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

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Received on Mon Oct 07 12:06:38 2002