By Olivia Wynkoop. Bay City News.
State wildlife officials announced that a parasitic disease has killed hundreds of native California pigeons.
Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said they have noticed an increase in reported sick and dead band-tailed doves since early February, mainly around California's Bay Area, the central coast and the foothills of the mountains. from Sierra Nevada.
So far this winter, an estimated 200 to 3,000 pigeons have died from avian trichomonosis, a disease mostly caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae during some winter seasons.
Infected birds develop "cheese-like" lesions in their mouths or throats, leading to starvation or suffocation, wildlife officials said. Birds with the disease may appear weak, uncoordinated, and repeatedly swallow or have difficulty breathing.
Although band-tailed doves are more susceptible to the disease, other bird species, including their predators, can also contract avian trichomonosis.
The parasite usually spreads in water sources such as birdbaths, fountains, and cattle waterers.
"Historically, larger outbreaks have generally been associated with drier conditions because pigeons are more likely to share a reduced number of water sources and the parasite can spread more rapidly among birds in the flock," Krysta Rogers said. , a CDFW senior environmental scientist who is an avian disease specialist.
Community members can prevent disease transmission by removing bird feeders and baths, especially when pigeons are in the area.
Residents can report sightings of sick or dead pigeons through the CDFW Mortality Report Form at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
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