La. State Vet Says Bird Deaths Caused by Collision w/ Power-lines

UNDIAGNOSED DIE-OFF, AVIAN - USA (04): (LOUISIANA)
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 4 Jan 2011
Source: Forbes.com [edited]



Power line blamed for bird kill in Louisiana
--------------------------------------------
Louisiana's state wildlife veterinarian says at least some of an
estimated 450 birds that died near Baton Rouge may have flown into a
power line.

Jim LaCour said Tuesday [4 Jan 2011] the grackles, starlings,
brown-headed cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds had broken beaks and
backs. He says some live birds had broken wings but ran too fast to catch.

The bird deaths Monday came a few days after about 3000 blackbirds
fell from the sky in central Arkansas. Scientists there say
celebratory fireworks on New Year's Eve likely sent the birds into
such a tizzy that they crashed into homes, cars and each other before
plummeting to their deaths. Officials say such massive wildlife kills
are not uncommon.

[Byline: Janet Mcconnaughey]

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Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Birds becoming disoriented and flying into power lines occasionally
happens, but seldom in such vast numbers. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Undiagnosed die-off, avian - USA (02): (AR, LA) 20110105.0055]
....................sb/tg/ejp/mpp

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