Mystery Illness Killing Off New Jersey Birds. No One Knows Why

NEW JERSEY — State and local officials are warning New Jersey residents about a mysterious illness that has caused death and neurological symptoms in young birds, an illness that has been seen largely in the Eastern states.

They've told New Jersey residents to clean or remove their bird feeders if they see dead or sick birds on their property.

And they advised that residents contact them if they see these symptoms in local fowl: "Neurologic signs consisting of head tremors, leg paresis (partial paralysis or weakness), ataxia (falling to the side) or inability to stand at all, and excessive vocalizations."

The state's advisory, posted July 6, said: "A morbidity/mortality event has been occurring in nestling and fledgling songbirds in the mid-Atlantic, extending into the Southeast and eastern upper Midwest. Since mid-May, numerous young birds — mainly blue jays, starlings, and common grackles, but also robins and cardinals — have been found with eye and neurologic issues, and in some cases these birds have been found dead in large numbers."

One northwest New Jersey animal control officer, who deals with 11 towns in Warren County and one in Morris, posted on Facebook on July 2 about becoming concerned after finding birds in his region with the mystery illness.

In a post shared on the Washington Borough Green Team page (below) on July 2, Washington Borough Animal Control Officer Robert Lagonera advised all area residents to take down their bird feeders for now.

Lagonera wrote, "Most commonly affected are blue jays, robins, common grackles and starlings. It mimics some of the symptoms of common head trauma i.e inability to fly, head tilting and disorientation. However a clear sign that it is this new disease is crusted or gooey eyes."

Lagonera told Patch on Tuesday that he had just spoken with New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Nicole Lewis, who is investigating the illness. He noted, as have others, that scientists don't know yet what is causing the symptoms.

"I asked the public to keep an eye out for birds' eye symptoms," Lagonera said, stressing that crusted-over, closed eyes are a "telltale sign" of the illness.

Lagonera said he sometimes gets calls about disoriented baby birds, but those birds may be learning to fly. The recent calls, he said, were different.

"I'm pretty concerned," he said,"because the responses generated are a lot more than I thought they would be."

He said he has only seen the sick birds in the westernmost towns he covers in New Jersey, and most have been blue jays.

He said that because pathologists haven't figured out the cause of the illness, people have theorized that it relates to something that's different about this year, such as the Brood X cicadas, but that so far there has been no proof or link.

The Audubon Society reported late last week that researchers have ruled out a number of causes but still don't have an answer.

What To Do In NJ

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife advises, "Dead birds should be handled with gloves, double-bagged and kept cool until picked up. In addition, any bird baths or feeders should be cleaned and removed if you find sick or dead birds on your property."

The state encourages any resident who sees a bird with the symptoms to contact Lewis at Nicole.lewis@dep.nj.gov or call 877-WARN-DEP.

Lagonera said residents of his towns can also call him regarding sick birds or send a photo to him at communityanimalcontrol@gmail.com.

Nearby, in Pennsylvania, experts have been investigating reports of sick or dying songbirds since July 1. As in other states, officials recommended removing bird feeders and baths to stop the spread. READ MORE: Mystery Bird Disease Found In At Least 27 PA Counties

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