Maine HHS Public Health iis tracking West Nile virus throughout the state with reported sightings of dead crows, blue jays, and ravens. The collection and testing of these dead birds, collectively called corvids, is part of an early warning system to determine whether West Nile virus is present and/or spreading in a certain area. We are asking the public to report dead corvids (crows, blue jays, and ravens) to Public Health to assist in our effort. Although we will not test all corvids, all reports will be used for tracking and surveillance purposes. It is important to remember not to handle any dead bird with your bare hands, even though casual contact with a dead bird has not been shown to cause West Nile virus infection in humans.
REPORTABLE BIRDS
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Blue Jay
11-12 1/2"
The blue jay has a
blue upper body.
It has a jaunty crest
and a black necklace.
The wings and tail are marked with white spots. The lower body is grayish-white. |
Crow
17-21"
The crow is
completely black,
including its bill and feet.
You may notice a
purplish gleam in the sunlight. The tail is fan-shaped. |
Raven
22-26"
The raven is often
mistaken for the crow,
but is much larger.
It is completely black
with a
purplish tint
in the sunlight. |
You can leave a message at any time on the bird reporting line. You will be asked the following information about the dead bird:
The type of bird;
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The date you first found the dead bird;
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Your name, town, county, and zip code;
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Your phone number.
Based on the information you provide, public health staff will decide whether the bird should be tested. Based on the information you provide, public health staff will decide whether the bird should be tested. If you find and report a dead crow, blue jay, or raven, please properly store the bird for no more than 24 hours or until we contact you, whichever comes first. Proper storage means:
DO NOT handle the dead bird with your bare hands. Use gloves or a shovel;
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Double-bag the bird (a clear plastic bag is fine for this purpose);
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Store the bird in a cool, dry place, like your garage or basement;
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DO NOT store the bird in your refrigerator, freezer, or cooler.
If you find a dead bird that is not a crow, blue jay, or raven, or if we have not contacted you within 24 hours, please dispose of the bird as follows:
DO NOT handle the bird with your bare hands. Use gloves or a shovel;
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Bury the bird 18 inches deep;
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Or, contact your local town official to see if you can dispose of the bird in your trash.
Maine HHS Public Health greatly appreciates the assistance of all residents who report dead birds. The information is vital to our efforts to understand WNV.
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