Random thoughts

[resqgeek]

I was channel surfing last night, and I caught part of a story about West Nile Fever on the news. They mentioned that its starting to show up in the crows in California. My mind made some interesting connections...I remembered the Raven that interrupted the "Birds of Flight" presentation at the Toronga Zoo in Sydney (it landed near their owl, capturing the poor owl's attention for several minutes before the staff could get it to fly back to where they wanted it!). Then I realized that I its been a long time since I've seen any crows in this area. I remember reading somewhere that crows are especially vulnerable to the West Nile virus, and it seems to have killed almost all the crows in this area. Now, I can't say that I was ever a big fan of crows, but I still find their absence disturbing. I have to wonder about the long term impacts of these declines in avian populations. Maybe the US needs to get more serious about our biological quarantine rules, like New Zealand, where they inspected my hiking boots, and where failure to declare potential biological threats carries an instant fine of $200 (payable on the spot!). It is inconvenient when you are entering the country, but then again, maybe it would prevent the introduction of new pests and diseases...

Comments

[sunstamp.livejournal.com]

West Nile Virus is a disturbing illness. When I lived in Louisiana a couple of years back, it swept through and killed a great number of people who had contracted it through mosquito bites. At first they experienced flu-like symptoms, but untreated it lead to comas, and ultimately - death. One of our neighbors sons succumbed to it...a very frightening experience, considering the amount of mosquitos everywhere!

[beckerbuns.livejournal.com]

Yes, here in California we have a "dead bird hotline" where folks can call when they find a dead bird, to help identify the bird to see if it could be a West Nile-susceptible bird (since not all birds are). The species most affected are American Crows, Western Scrub Jays, Yellow-Billed Magpies and Steller's Jays. Ravens, hawks, sparrows, and some finches can also be affected. Come to think of it, those are most of the birds I've seen around here!

I work for city government and we take the dead bird calls pretty seriously. This is the closest to home WNV has hit so far. We'll see what happens.

Oh, also, our local vector control agency gives out free mosquito fish for people's fish ponds and fountains (these fish eat mosquito larvae). That should help prevent the spread too.

[suellenr.livejournal.com]

We still have crows here, only a bit west of you.
I haven't seen any pt.s be tested for West Nile this summer, either. In previous years, we've tested for it.
Did you know the test is done only on C.S.F.?