Maryland Bird Conservation Update - Summer 2021

Search Continues for Cause of Songbird Epidemic

Infected Blue Jay fledgling. Photo courtesy Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.

In April, scores of birds in the greater Washington, D.C., area began displaying strange symptoms. Their eyes were swollen and crusty; some became disoriented, started twitching, and died. “They were having a hard time seeing,” says Nicole Nemeth of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) in Athens, Georgia. “Sometimes they don’t seem to be able to use their legs.” 

By the end of May, similar reports were rolling in from across Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. By June, sick birds had turned up in Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership. To date, thousands of sick and dying birds have been reported to SCWDS and other wildlife disease centers in nearby states.

Although SCWDS is one of several state and federal agencies, including the United States Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), currently working together to diagnose the mysterious ailment, none of the labs have been able to identify the cause of the birds’ deaths so far. But on July 2, they released a report that put them a bit closer.

Until the cause is found, concerned citizens in affected regions can take steps to protect birds in their own backyards. “The best thing we can recommend is taking down your bird feeders,” says Christine Casey, a wildlife veterinarian with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Once down, it’s important to clean feeders and bird baths with a 10 percent bleach solution to kill lingering pathogens.

“The birds that have been seeing the symptoms are birds that tend to come to feeders,” says David Curson, director of bird conservation at Audubon Mid-Atlantic, which is encouraging people to report any infected birds they find to their state conservation agency. “Basically we’re recommending social distancing for birds,” Curson says.

Read the full article from Audubon here.

Travel to Costa Rica with MBCP!

Scintillant Hummingbird.
Photo by Matt MacGillivray

Join the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership this December 12-18 for a week-long adventure in bird-rich, tourist-friendly Costa Rica.

If you’ve always wanted to go birding in Costa Rica — or never taken a birding trip abroad at all — this program is a great introduction to the Neotropical birds of Central America. Despite its small size, more than 900 types of birds have been recorded in the country. Combine that with its accessibility and its friendly people, and Costa Rica is a perfect destination for beginners and more advanced birders alike. Plus, you’ll discover fascinating wildlife like frogs, monkeys, bats, and sloths.

Highlights of the trip

  • Take guided hikes in the 500-acre primary and secondary rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, which provides habitat to more than 350 bird species, including the endangered Great Green Macaw.

  • Get a different perspective of the rainforest from atop the 100-meter suspended walkway at Tirimbina Biological Reserve for the chance to see species that spend their time within the forest canopy.

  • Watch for species like the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Crested Guan, and Spectacled Owl at the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station.

  • Search for the highly sought-after Resplendent Quetzal in the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota.

CLICK HERE for more information and to reserve your spot!

Bird City Maryland Highlights Annapolis

The current issue of Bird City News features Maryland's first High Flyer Bird City, Annapolis. Two new application criteria have been added relating to Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and Birdability. In Resources for a Healthy Community we highlight steps you can take to make your windows bird-friendly. Read Bird City News here.

Species Profile: Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Scarlet Tanager © Frode Jacobsen

Scarlet Tanagers are among Maryland’s most beautiful spring and early summer songsters. From high in the treetops this striking Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) repeats its sing-songy robin-with-a-sore-throat call amidst occasional chick-burr notes.

Losing ground to destruction of habitat on both summer and winter ranges Scarlet Tanagers require large blocks of mature deciduous woodlands. In smaller forest fragments, they are often parasitized by cowbirds. The birds winter in tropical rain forest in lowlands just east of the Andes.

In Maryland efforts must be made to slow the scourge of loblolly pine plantations and promote hardwood forest restoration and retention.

Scarlet Tanager breeding distribution, from the 2nd Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Maryland and DC.

Male Scarlet Tanagers seem almost too bright and exotic for northeastern woodlands. These birds are denizens of oak/hickory forests in summer, but they often remain out of sight as they forage in the leafy upper branches. Incubation in the upper canopy nests made of a shallow cup of twigs and grass is done by the yellow females for 12-14 days. Young leave the nest about 9-15 days after hatching.

Both sexes forage mostly for insects but do eat some berries. Caterpillars, moths, beetles, wasps, spiders, bees, and aphids are some favorites. Wild fruit and berry targets include mulberry, elder, sumac, and others. (Audubon)

Decreased pesticide use and better management for mature hardwood forests will serve this species well for their future in Maryland. View the Scarlet Tanager eBird profile.

Partner Profile: Annapolis Green

Annapolis Green has been a valued partner bringing together environmental movers and shakers, individuals, local businesses, government, and nonprofits to connect, inform and inspire Maryland residents to care for the environment. 

Rather than focus on a single issue, they tackle a variety of challenges, motivating people to stand up for nature with programs that incite meaningful change.

Annapolis Green consolidates the myriad efforts and resources of other local environmental organizations under one website (https://annapolisgreen.com/) providing easy access to leading-edge knowledge, best practices, hands-on experiences, and events.

The organization was formed in 2006 by Lynne Forsman and Elvia Thompson, two friends struggling to grasp the big picture of local Green initiatives. Today, the organization serves as the hub of the state capitol’s environmental movement, uniting and inspiring the Greater Annapolis community.

The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership is excited to have such a juggernaut as a partner.

Birdy bits