Bird flu found in songbirds, not just shorebirds & ducks

Researchers found strains of avian influenza in sparrows and thrushes, according to a Reuters article. This prompts concern for the possibility that the birds might infect pigs, which might incubate new influenza strains. The study, "Mapping the risk of avian influenza in wild birds in the US," appears in the Biomed Central journal "BMC Infectious Diseases."

Using National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health funds, Smith and colleagues teamed up with David DeSante at the California-based Institute for Bird Populations to test songbirds for avian influenza viruses at the same time they were banding the birds for other research.

They tested more than 13,000 birds from 225 different species in 41 U.S. states, and found low-pathogenic avian influenza in 22 species, notably fox sparrows, Cassin's finches, Swainson's thrush and Western tanagers.

Western Tanager courtesy of Bentler.us

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Private Ranger
The National Park Society offers a private ranger at national parks and wildlife refuges. With ranger Kent Taylor, private groups -- such as friends, relatives, birders, travelers with mobility or health concerns -- can plan custom vacations in the United States and abroad.

Taylor's experience includes the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and he founded and directs the National Park Society. Contact Taylor via e-mail or at 800-578-1883.

Flu virus research at UC Davis
University of California Davis will host one of six new Centers for Rapid Influenza Surveillance and Research. The center will focus on expanding the federal detection program and reducing the possibility of flu pandemic, according to the university. Research veterinarian Walter Boyce (right), who directs the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center, will direct the center with Scott Layne of University of California Los Angeles. UC Davis is in charge of collecting and testing "tens of thousands of samples from wildlife, especially wild birds, on both the U.S. and Asian sides of the Pacific Ocean."

Junior Duck Stamp contest
On April 27, five judges will pick the top artwork in the federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. The judging will take place at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., making the art from students in all 50 states visible to the many tourists at the park. The event coincides with the National Zoo's Bird Fest 2007, and the winning art entry will appear on the 2007-2008 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, available for $5. Sales proceeds go toward environmental education and student awards and scholarships. Rebekah Nastav of Amoret, Mo., won the 2006 junior contest.

Marvelous Spatuletail courtship on film
American Bird Conservancy released the first-ever footage of the courtship display by a Marvelous Spatuletail, a very endangered hummingbird in the Peruvian mountains. Captured on film by Greg R. Homel of Natural Elements Productions, the hummingbird possesses just four tail feathers that end in metallic, purplish "spoons."

British scientists use feathers for bird-flu clues

At Durham University, researchers measured strontium isotope levels to pinpoint birds' previous migratory stops. The metal accumulates in feathers and provides more precise data about location than radio or satellite tags. The scientists studied sedge warblers, and their research appeared in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry.

Dr. Laura Font said:

"By determining migration pathways, the arrival of potential vectors of diseases from infected areas can be anticipated.

"Knowledge of migratory routes also helps evaluate the likelihood that individual avian influenza outbreaks could be related to migratory bird movements rather than anthropogenic activities, such as poultry movements, which are believed to be the main vector of avian influenza in most outbreaks."

Sedge Warbler courtesy of BBC

Wild birds not spreading avian flu

The bird flu expert for the United Nations recently said infected domestic birds -- not migratory wild birds -- most likely bear the blame for the spread of the H5N1 virus in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Dr. David Nabarro said investigators looking into the cause of a bird flu outbreak at a commercial turkey farm in Britain are now focusing on a possible link with the transfer of partly processed birds from a farm in southeastern Hungary, where there was an outbreak last month. ...

Most people killed so far have been infected by domestic fowl and the virus remains very hard for humans to catch. Nabarro said about half the people infected die.

This falls in line with the presentation given by research scientist Peter Marra of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center during Birdwatch America last month in Atlanta. A description of his talk starts on page 7 of the March/April issue.