Bird Flu: An Update for Birdwatchers

Photo: Northern Shovelers, Steve Jessmore/Audubon Phtography Awards

Sarah Wilton

Avian influenza has been around for centuries in many strains, but the strain making the news as bird flu is a “highly pathogenic avian influenza” caused by the H5N1 virus. It’s being found in both wild birds and domestic fowl and, less commonly, in mammals, even humans. In the U.S., bird flu is being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA monitors incidence of the disease in domestic birds, operating a national hotline (866-536-7593). With some other agencies USDA also is surveilling incidence in waterfowl. See Implementation Plan for Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl.

The virus can infect poultry, including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl in commercial and backyard flocks. Since the current strain of bird flu was identified in 2022, afflicted birds have been identified in 51 states, including cases on Virginia’s eastern shore as recently as January 2025. No cases of infected livestock (including cattle, swine and alpaca) have been reported in Virginia; however, nearby North Carolina had one confirmed case in 2024. Other mammals that are susceptible to infection with bird flu include rodents, racoons and cats. See Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals, which reports 126 cases in domestic cats since May 2022.

After living through the pandemic, people have cause to be concerned and ask questions about risks to humans, particularly for people who come in contact with birds and livestock. To date the CDC, working with state and public health departments, has reported 70 confirmed and probable human bird flu cases and one fatality since 2024, but it rates the risk of transmission to humans as low. It reports no confirmed case in Virginia and only one probable case in the Delmarva Peninsula. See H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation. No person-to-person has been diagnosed; however, influenza viruses mutate constantly, so continued monitoring is essential.

Of course, we also have concerns as birdwatchers and citizens worried about the health of wild bird populations in a world where they face serious challenges from climate change, habitat loss, and other threats. Peak migration in our area begins in April, and detections are higher within the wild bird populations in the fall and spring, because the birds spread the virus as they migrate to and from their breeding grounds. The most common victims of the virus are waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and raptors that may feed on carcasses of diseased birds. USDA reports 132 wild bird cases in Virginia since January 2022; six of those cases were recorded since December 2024. Given the time lag between collection and confirmation and the problems associated with wild bird sample collection, the figures are likely an understatement of the actual number of cases. 

So, what do we need to know and do as we head outdoors to observe wildlife and participate in conservation projects, or as we live and participate in other community activities?

• If you find a dead wild bird, either on your property or elsewhere, report it to your state wildlife agency or health department. In Virginia, that is the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). DWR particularly asks you to report by phone (855-571-9003) or email (wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov) (i) five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds in the same area within five days; (ii) sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls, or turkeys, excluding carcasses found on the road, or (iii) ten or more dead wild birds of any species in the same area within five days.

• If you have backyard chickens, don’t put up feeders for wild birds. Although Cornell Lab's All About Birds reports low risk to songbirds from the bird flu, it has been detected in a number of species, making it prudent to avoid encouraging poultry and wild birds to mix. Cornell recommends not putting up feeders and making sure that poultry food and water are not accessible to wild birds. Its website also includes recommendations for wildlife rehabilitators and people who maintain wild bird nest boxes. Unusual poultry illness or death should be reported in Virginia to the State Veterinarian’s Office (804) 692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov or to USDA’s toll-free number at (866) 536-7593.

• If you dispose of a dead wild bird, make sure you use disposable gloves and disinfect your shoes and clothing afterwards. You can find guidance from the USDA flyer: Found a Dead Wild Bird? Here's What to Do Next.

• What about cats? If you have a cat, by all means keep it indoors. We have advised you to keep your cats indoors for years in order to protect wild birds from predation. Now you have even more reason to keep your cat indoors to protect it from possible bird flu infection. See the American Veterinary Medical Association article, Avian influenza A (H5N1) in cats, for recommendations for preventing infection, along with a list of symptoms and steps to take in the case of suspected infection.

Why Did the Canada Goose Cross the Road?

Photo: Canada Goose, Deidra Bryant

Deidra Bryant

Ah, the notorious Canada Goose. We see them on golf courses, at parks, on corporate office campuses, near ponds, and of course, casually crossing busy roads in suburban neighborhoods. Although some still migrate, many, sometimes too many, make northern Virginia their year-round home. All our expansive suburban lawns are just too attractive.

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and I have an . . . interesting relationship. Now, the Anatidae family--which includes ducks, geese and swans--is actually my favorite family of birds. They have interesting feather colorations, I find their vocalizations therapeutic, and they’re a lot of fun to watch. I enjoy watching geese fly in V-shaped formations when they migrate, and I enjoy observing their interactions with each other when they’re gliding along the water. However, they’re scarily aggressive.

Canada Goose, Stephen Zarate/Audubon Photography Awards

They’re fearless towards humans, fast on the wing and foot (they’ll chase you), and are relatively large and hefty birds weighing around 7-14 pounds. Because of their size they have powerful flight muscles in their wings which can cause significant damage if they strike with them. The inside of the bill also has layers (lamellae) of hardened keratin that form sharp cutting edges, called “tomia,'' making goose bites very painful. Their loud hissing and angry honking also are intimidating. I always keep my distance because they can be unpredictable. ESPECIALLY in the springtime when I know it’s likely they’ll have goslings nearby.

Canada Goose, Benjamin Schelling/Audubon Photography Awards

I’m sure everyone has had, or knows someone who has had, a negative encounter with this confident waterfowl, whether it’s a goose stalking you, standing in the road as you’re trying to get somewhere fast, trying to steal food from you if you’re eating outdoors, or being a nuisance at airports. The confrontations are so common that there are many videos online and on television of them scaring young children and making grown men back away. However, I don’t want this article only to rant about their aggressive behavior. I want people to understand why they are the way they are, and why we should respect their space.

Nesting for Canada Geese begins around mid-March to late April here in northern Virginia. Females build their nests on the ground in places that provide concealment, such as under shrubs or at the base of mature trees that are located on the edges of wetlands or on small islands in lakes or ponds. Their nest sites are usually always within 100 feet of water, and the nest is a bowl-shaped scrape lined with dry grasses, twigs, moss, lichen, and soft, down feathers. After nest construction, which is mostly done by the female, she will lay one egg every 1-2 days for a total of between 2-8 eggs. Incubation is 28 days, and both males and females will defend the nest and the goslings. The males are the most protective/hostile and will defend the goslings until they learn to fly (10-12 weeks after hatching). When feeding, they’ll forage as a family and choose to do so in open areas so that the adults have a 360° view of potential predators.

Canada Geese with goslings, Marilyn J. Grubb/Audubon Photography Awards

Canada Geese also are very social. Parents will bring their goslings together in groups called “crèches” that are looked after by other mating pairs, like some kind of goose kindergarten. Parents also may form “gang broods” with other pairs and their families. These broods can range from 20 to 100 goslings being shepherded by only a few adults! Goslings may mingle and waddle away from their parents, but communal babysitting is key in areas with a high nest density, so another mating pair will look after them. It’s literally just one big family neighborhood watch, and I find that pretty interesting. So yes, they’re very aggressive towards threats several times their size, but once you understand their behavior in looking after offspring that aren’t even genetically theirs, expending their energy and risking their lives in doing so, it makes sense. They’re just really good parents.

Canada Goose crossing the road, Deidra Bryant

So why did the Canada Goose cross the road? Don’t worry about it. It has goose things to do over there. Be patient and let them saunter safely to their destination . . . or else.

Get a Boost on Waterfowl Identification

Photo: Hooded Merganser, Matt Felperin

Now that the ducks and geese are flooding into our area for winter, make sure your identification skills are at their peak. If you want to brush up for joining the Winter Waterfowl Count, or if you just want a refresher before testing your skills at Huntley Meadows, Occoquan, Mason Neck, or other northern Virginia hotspots, make sure to register for Ducks and Waterfowl Identification with Greg Butcher, a virtual tutorial on February 2, and the February 4 Field Trip with Greg Butcher and Phil Silas. 

It may be cold out there, but winter provides some of the best opportunities to see waterfowl in our area.

Bufflehead, Christopher Baker/Audubon Photography Awards

Do you have a Scope you’d like to Donate?

Photo: White-cheeked Pintail, Lorraine Minns/Audubon Photography Awards

The Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust is looking for a telescope to use for bird counts and surveys. The mission of the Trust, which is located on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico, is to foster, protect and conserve the environmental, archaeological, and cultural resources of Vieques. They are currently doing bird counts and surveys of shorebirds using binoculars. As anyone who has done surveys of waterfowl knows, a scope is invaluable in obtaining accurate counts and identifying species. The Trust is a Section 501(c)3) charitable organization, and donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. You can read more about the Trust here.

If you are interested in donating a scope, please email President@audubonva.org.

Avian Influenza in Ducks in and near Virginia

Photo: Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Widgeon, Steve Lefkovits

Several dead ducks have been found in and around Virginia to have avian influenza (AI). These birds include a Green-winged Teal in Virginia Beach, a Lesser Scaup in Kent County Maryland, and 17 ducks of several species in North Carolina.

The recent detections of a Eurasian strain of AI in these wild birds serve as an early warning system for people in the U.S. to look for groups of dead or sick waterfowl and to protect poultry and pet birds from AI. 

If you encounter sick or dead birds in Virginia, please submit an event report here. If you must remove dead birds, wear gloves and a mask, and place birds in a sealable plastic bag to dispose with household trash. (Note: This AI has not been shown to be harmful to humans.)

If you want to track recent reports, you can visit here. 

The version of avian influenza we are experiencing is often called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or H5N1, referring to just one of many types of AI. H5 is a highly transmissible form among birds.

AI has the potential to infect humans, but there are few cases among humans so far, and none were serious that we know of. People in close proximity to poultry (mostly chickens and ducks) are most at risk, but we discourage handling of any dead birds without the use of gloves and a mask.