HANCOCK COUNTY — Two-thirds of Indiana counties have now seen reports of songbirds dying or getting sick with a mysterious disease, but scientists are still trying to figure out what’s causing the avian ailment.
Hancock County is among those that have seen reports of birds dying or getting sick. Marion County and Monroe County, where the problem was initially identified, have some of the highest rates of reports. Hamilton County is another where many reports have come in.
Purdue Extension educator Lais McCartney said she has heard one report of the disease in Hancock County, which came from a woman who said she had seen three dead birds in addition to one bird that appeared to be sick.
McCartney said she was not surprised that scientists are not yet sure what’s causing the birds’ sickness.
“It is a very slow process to do these tests,” McCartney said. “It’s not only finding a needle in a haystack. They don’t even know what the needle looks like.”
Hundreds of birds have been reported to have died or to have visible symptoms of the disease, which is characterized by eye swelling and discharge around the eyes along with symptoms of confusion, weakness or trembling. Since the state relies on human sightings to report illnesses, the actual total is likely much higher.
The issue has now extended beyond Indiana, with other states reporting the disease as well, including Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Ten bird species have seen cases, including blue jays, robins, cardinals and starlings.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is three weeks into an investigation of the cause of the malady and is waiting for test results to come back that could help identify what’s wrong. In the meantime, they have ruled out a number of causes, including avian influenza and West Nile virus — two diseases that are communicable to humans — and various other known illnesses and parasites.
While some have speculated that the issue might be related to birds eating this year’s Brood X cicadas, the state doesn’t have any evidence of that yet. A parasitic fungus killed some of the cicadas, which are common prey for birds, this year.
So far, no cases have been seen in poultry species like chicken, turkeys, or ducks, but owners are advised to keep them separated from wild birds for the time being. Domestic animals should also be kept away from birds.
Indiana’s state ornithologist, Allisyn Gillet, said Hancock County has seen low numbers of reports compared to neighboring counties like Marion. Residents have reported sightings of six sick or dying birds in the past three weeks, and only one came from Greenfield. However, she added, just because people aren’t seeing sick birds doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.
Gillet reiterated a previous advisory: People should remove bird feeders, including those for hummingbirds, and not scatter birdseed on the ground. Residents who have a backyard bird feeder or bird bath should also clean it with a 10% bleach solution.
Temporarily refraining from feeding birds can prevent them from congregating and spreading disease, similar to the use of social distancing among humans to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wild birds should have no trouble finding enough food without the use of bird feeders.
Gillet said any sightings of sick or dying birds should be reported to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. If it is necessary to move a dead bird, it should be done carefully and with gloves, avoiding touching the bird.
Since tracking the disease relies on reports from witnesses, Gillet said the more detailed information can be provided, the better. Photos and videos, which can be submitted through the website, are especially helpful.
Sick birds can be reported, and more information can be found, at on.in.gov/sickwildlife.
For Jim Matthews, a member of local birdwatching group Greenfield Birders, taking down his backyard bird feeder means missing out on participating in the hobby he’s enjoyed for decades. Matthews, who uses a wheelchair, said he can’t go out looking for birds in the wild as often as he’d like to, and now not many are visiting his yard.
“It’s been difficult for a lot of people,” Matthews said.
Matthews said the guidance against feeding birds has spurred some people to join Greenfield Birders’ hikes in local parks, and may also create an increased interest in bird gardens. Similar to butterfly gardens, bird gardens can be planted with seed-bearing plants that encourage birds to visit. The gardens still cause some concentration of birds, but not as much as feeders.
Until there’s more information available about what’s causing the disease, Matthews advised fellow bird enthusiasts to be patient.
“The DNR is not going to drag this out for any time that they don’t have to. Until we get some answers, I think their recommendation is correct,” he said.
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To help prevent the spread of a disease impacting birds, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommends that all bird feeders, including those for hummingbirds, be taken down. You also should not feed birds at parks or in the wild.
If you keep chickens or other domestic birds outside, be careful to prevent other birds from entering their enclosures.
If you spot a sick or dead bird, report it to the Indiana DNR online at in.gov/dnr.
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