Avian Health
Avian Diseases and Viruses in Florida
Wild birds can carry a number of strains of the avian influenza viruses, most of which do not cause disease. FWC is investigating mortality events involving wild bird populations by monitoring and investigating reports of wild bird die-offs.
Avian pox is caused by a virus, avipoxvirus. Pox is a major disease of wild turkey, but is also found throughout the avian taxa.
Newcastle disease is a virus affecting avian species. Newcastle disease viruses can be widespread in avian populations, but do not always cause illness.
Reporting Bird Mortalities
To better monitor avian health trends and respond quickly to mortality events, the FWC has recently updated the reporting app, streamlining the reporting process. FWC biologists review all reports, taking action as needed based on priorities and capacity. These data are vital to understanding and monitoring trends, identifying emerging health threats (e.g., Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), West Nile Virus, and Avian Pox), and protecting both wildlife and public health.
FAQs About Reporting Bird Mortalities
- Pictures of the bird are important and useful!
- Please provide as many details as possible when submitting a mortality report.
- Watch a video demonstration of how to make a report via the new app.
- FWC biologists review all reports and respond as needed, based on priorities and capacity.
- An FWC biologist may contact you if additional information is needed and you have indicated approval on the form.
- If you cannot identify the species, select “unknown” under the Species Information tab. This will provide you with silhouettes and allow you to select the family you believe the bird belongs to based on physical features.
- Please include a photo of the bird so one of our biologists can try to identify.
- The avian mortality app is used to notify FWC of bird mortalities as part of their disease surveillance efforts and to track trends in bird mortalities. In some cases, FWC biologists will collect and test carcasses for these diseases and will reach out to you for additional information.
- Even if our team is unable to respond directly to you, your report is still extremely valuable to us as it helps our biologists determine trends and effects of avian health threats throughout the state.
The FWC asks the public not to handle sick or dead birds unless absolutely necessary. If you need to dispose of a carcass, please use the information in the following document:
- An FWC biologist may contact you if additional information is needed, and if you have indicated approval on the form.
- Additional updates and information on specific avian health issues are posted to the Avian Health website, when available