Re: [CT Birds] Bird survival
Now I have a question. How about birds that are affected by trees and yards sprayed with pesticides? Thanks, Diane Tucker
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Melissa Baston" Mbaston@tgimachine.com
Hi all,
I just wanted to add that most in the diseased category are due to human
sources (salmonella/conjunctivitis from birds grouping up at feeders/baths
that are not kept clean, as well as the ground below) although not
intentional.
Melissa Baston
TRW volunteer
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: "Carrier Graphics"
Cc:
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Bird survival
Paul and CT Birders,
Below I pasted last years statistics as to what came in to TRW.
In the category orphaned, I would say at least half of that number were
more than likely unnecessarily rescued, kidnapped for lack of a better
word. Sadly by the time we get the call/ bird it has sometimes been
several days or longer and the bird is in dire need of rehabilitation.
As far as the injured category, I think again we could probably cut that
number in half and be safe to say half of those injuries were either cat,
dog or human related. Unfortunately we don't usually get the complete
story as to what happened with the bird. In many instances the bird has
been passed from person, to vet, to nature center, before we even know
about it.
There are many instances of injured birds that I suspect cat or hit by car
but unless it is confirmed we will not write it up as the cause. Many
fallen down nests (obviously nests that are put low to the ground)are a
result of cats and dogs getting at them. Possibly could of been shrubs or
trees that were cut that people would not admit to.
The diseased category is very low and I rarely get birds who have been
caught by natural predators. Probably the category that is truly from
natural causes would be fall from nest. To clarify the continued care
category that is when rehabilitators transfer a bird to me.
I hope this answers your question Paul.
2007 Reasons for Admission (327 birds)
Orphaned 57
Injured 52
Cat Caught 36
Nest Fell 34
Fell From Nest 32
Window Strike 29
Hit By Car 23
Continued Care 20
Diseased 12
Nest Removed 9
Tree Fell 7
Flypaper, Trapped, Tangled 4
Tree Cut Down 2
Dog Caught 1
Other 9
Jayne Amico/Southington
---- Carrier Graphics wrote:
Of all the injured birds you get in to rehabilitate, how many injury
causes are from human sources and how many are from natural causes?
paul carrier
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Diane and CT Birders,
Treating birds who have been poisoned is possible but the problem lies in diagnosing that the bird has indeed ingested something toxic, determining what the toxin is, and then the antedote for it. Poisoning usually results in neurological symptoms such as, off balance, un-able to use wings or legs seizures, lethargy, no appetite, etc..
Unfortunately these can also be symptoms of head trauma so it can be difficult to determine the cause when you do not have any background info, which is often the case. Time is of the essence in stopping the effects from causing organ damage/shut down.
In the few cases where I have had suspected poisoning, ex.( neuro flicker found where they had just sprayed for ants) By the time they found the spray they had used and gave me the phone number to call from the back of the can, the bird had died. Whenever we receive a bird we ask as many questions as possible to ascertain what the underlying cause of the birds problem resulted from.
It seems to me each Spring right about when the yellow "keep off " tags start appearing on lawns I get in quite a few window strikes and car hits. I always suspect pesticides are on board weakening the bird's abilities.
There are 4 step ORGANIC products that can be used to reduce insect activity and weeds. Some time ago I read somewhere, (yea I know vague) that it took so may poisoned grubs to kill a robin. Wonder how many it takes to kill the skunk who loves to eat them too?
Below I pasted info from the American Bird Conservancy website.
<<<<Pesticides cause significant bird mortality each year. Of the five billion pounds of pesticides that are applied worldwide each year, 20% are used in the United States (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA], 2004). Our assumption that because these pesticides are licensed by the federal government their use is automatically safe, is unfounded. One well known estimate (Pimentel & Acquay, 1992) suggested that more than 670 million birds are directly exposed to pesticides each year on U.S. farms alone, 10% of which - or 67 million birds - die as a result.
Repeated exposure to some pesticides can also lead to sub-lethal effects such as decreased breeding success. These effects are hard to detect but nevertheless can produce dramatic species declines over time. Such was the case with DDT, which nearly wiped out several bird species in the U.S., including the Peregrine Falcon and Brown Pelican, by thinning the shells of their eggs to the point where they broke before hatching.
Approximately 40 pesticides still used in the U.S. are documented to have caused bird die-offs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the government agency responsible for regulating pesticides) has recorded more than 1,700 incidents of bird kills - many including hundreds of individual birds - attributable to pesticide use. In many cases the pesticides concerned were used completely legally. These incidents likely represent just the tip of a huge iceberg.
Progress is being made to remove the deadliest pesticides to birds from the market. Thus far, ?? of ?? of the worst chemicals have been restricted. Unfortunately, many of these same chemicals continue to be used overseas where they remain legal and continue to harm birds as well as coming back to U.S. store shelves in the form of toxic residue on food.
Hope this helps Diane.
Jayne Amico/ Southington
---- dianetucker01@comcast.net wrote:
Now I have a question. How about birds that are affected by trees and yards sprayed with pesticides? Thanks, Diane Tucker