A troubling number of dead birds has some in southern Alberta worried about potential salmonella or avian pneumonia outbreaks.
In early March, word spread across social media of birds — particularly Redpolls — being found dead around birdbaths and feeders. Calgary-based retailer, the Wild Bird Store, put out a public announcement on their social media saying the deaths were linked to birds contracting salmonella poisoning.
"Unfortunately, there has been a recent problem with Redpolls contracting salmonella," the Wild Bird Store wrote on March 5. "Please take down your feeders entirely or disinfect them every couple of days with a 9-to-1 bleach solution."
Others on social media asked if the deaths might be attributed to bad birdseed.
"I have had five dead sparrows in my yard in the last few days," wrote a woman identifying herself as Laurie Wilson Marter on March 19. "Could it be bad seed?"
The official cause of the deaths is unknown, and the Alberta Conservation Association said they haven't received reports about Redpoll deaths in the area.
Still, the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI) is concerned the deaths could be caused by avian flu reported in Europe and Japan.
CEI president Clio Smeeton said they have been receiving higher-than-average calls regarding residents finding dead or injured birds in their yard this year.
"People have been phoning and saying they've found mainly Redpolls dead under their feeders, some thought it might be salmonella," Smeeton said. "We've had notification about infectious pneumonia that is being found in Europe and Japan."
Illness has also been found in Canada's maritime provinces, but testing as recently as March 22 showed no cases of avian bird flu among Alberta's bird populations.
"They've tested 26 times in Alberta, but they haven't found it," Smeeton said.
The CEI is still encouraging those who find dead or injured birds to contact the proper authorities, noting that you can't test for something if the birds aren't reported.
"We ask people to take photographs of the area around the bird and, if the bird is dead, then to put on gloves and a mask and put the bird in a sealed plastic bag," Smeeton said. "Then, when you get a chance, drop it off at the Fish and Wildlife office or the Canadian Wildlife Service in Calgary so they can do their job."
Smeeton said there are ways to help still living birds, as well, and get them tested.
"[Pneumonia] has pretty definite indications and symptoms. If the birds are gasping with their wings semi-out and they're not standing up ... put the bird in a box and bring them to us and we'll isolate them," Smeeton said.
"It's really important that people do look out for these birds, and if they do find them, get them into the Fish and Wildlife office in Cochrane as soon as possible so they can be tested."
The Cochrane Eagle reached out to Fish and Wildlife for comment on the prevalence of bird deaths, but did not immediately receive a response.