This posting was on NRV birds yesterday, and I thought maybe some of you
might be able to respond to Dr. Johnson's query.
BTW, Dr. Johnson is a retired ornithologist who spent several years
researching California Condor. He now resides near Stuart in Patrick County.
Thanks,
Clyde Kessler
Radford, VA
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 06:08:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Eric Johnson <birdman4333@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [nrvbirds] possible West Nile victim
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On Saturday a neighbor called to report a raptor down in her field. I went
over and discovered an adult Osprey incapable of flight, but capable of
hopping away from me with wings flapping. When I approached too closely, it
rolled on its back and presented me talons in a typical defensive display.
I gave the bird something to grasp, and picked it up with gloves. It had no
visible physical injuries, and was not emaciated. I took the bird home,
informed the Game Warden of the problem, put the bird in an aviary. Despite
offerings of water and fresh bluegill and bass, it refused to eat or drink.
By 4:30 Sunday, about 28 hours after I retrieved it, it was dead. My
experience is that bacterial infections take several days to kill a
well-fed bird, so I suspect that the speed with which this bird went down
was a result of West Nile infection. No one is testing birds here any more,
so I have no way to be sure. Anyone out there have experience with this virus?
Eric Johnson, Stuart
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