Avian flu and upland species

[VikingsGuy]

Anybody know if grouse or pheasants populations are affected by avian flu (H5/N1)?

 

[AlaskaHunter]

Anybody know if grouse or pheasants populations are affected by avian flu (H5/N1)?

I do know that they were having problems getting farmed pheasants for pre-national training
avian flu first hit in Texas was a commercial pheasant farm in April.

 

[Gellar]

It is my understanding that wild birds are more of a carrier and it doesn’t affect them as much as domesticated birds.

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

View the latest information on detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds.

www.aphis.usda.gov

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

It is my understanding that wild birds are more of a carrier and it doesn’t affect them as much as domesticated birds.

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

View the latest information on detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds.

www.aphis.usda.gov

My understanding as well. Based on my limited reading in the paper, the DENR thinks the flu spread to South Dakota via Snow Geese or Canada Geese.

Been seeing a ton of pheasants, so that's a promising sign?

 

[VikingsGuy]

It is my understanding that wild birds are more of a carrier and it doesn’t affect them as much as domesticated birds.

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

View the latest information on detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds.

www.aphis.usda.gov

I would guess density increases the impact on domesticated birds, but in MN they are already seeing deaths in wild raptors

Grouse drumming seems to be on track in northern MN, but it is probably too early to draw conclusions on impact, as it seems to be starting "south" and moving north (likely with geese/duck migration).

 

[Gellar]

I would guess density increases the impact on domesticated birds, but in MN they are already seeing deaths in wild raptors

Grouse drumming seems to be on track in northern MN, but it is probably too early to draw conclusions on impact, as it seems to be starting "south" and moving north (likely with geese/duck migration).

It does affect raptors more, why I don’t know. We were told about 2 month ago to stop picking up dead or injured raptors if people called from the public. We have to notify our regional bio and he notifies the state vet.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Mortality in wild birds often seems to vary with the specific flu strain. Previous high path influenzas have killed different suites of wild species- the Asian H5N1 in the 2000s mostly killed gulls, swans, shorebirds and diving ducks for example. This one seems to be killing mostly raptors and snow geese. I haven’t heard any reports of pheasants/grouse testing positive though I did hear a rumor about some dead wild turkeys in Montana. Not sure how reliable that one is.

 

[Wild Bill]

I did hear a rumor about some dead wild turkeys in Montana

That's just from all the guys shooting TSS turkey loads at birds 100 yards away and wounding them and not retrieving them.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Bird Flu Discovered in Wild Turkeys for First Time Ever

Wildlife managers across the country are wondering what’s next after a deadly strain of bird flu was discovered in wild turkey flocks for the first time ever. “Highly pathogenic avian influenza” (HPAI), caused by a virus known as H5N1, has been sweeping the continent since it first hit Canadian...

www.themeateater.com

Also looks like captive pheasants have been dying, but I’ve still not heard avian influenza confirmed in wild birds yet.

 

[MTLabrador]

Mortality in wild birds often seems to vary with the specific flu strain. Previous high path influenzas have killed different suites of wild species- the Asian H5N1 in the 2000s mostly killed gulls, swans, shorebirds and diving ducks for example. This one seems to be killing mostly raptors and snow geese. I haven’t heard any reports of pheasants/grouse testing positive though I did hear a rumor about some dead wild turkeys in Montana. Not sure how reliable that one is.

Most of the city limits turkeys in Billings died a few weeks ago. Haven’t heard of it happening much in wild populations around here yet.

 

[VikingsGuy]

Most of the city limits turkeys in Billings died a few weeks ago. Haven’t heard of it happening much in wild populations around here yet.

Urban turkeys are still thick in the twin cities.