Dead hawk in my backyard... mystery?

Goshawk said:
It sounds quite plausible to me that the hawk died of West Nile or something, with its crop still full of its last meal--a sparrow--and a dog grabbed at it to eat it and caused the wound in its throat.
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True, and if you're in an area where West Nile could be a problem, it's worth letting the appropriate authorities know. The fact that it could well have died of more natural causes makes it a little less of a concern, but you may want to keep an eye out in your area for dead birds with no apparent injuries, or birds with neurological problems: walking/flying difficulties usually.

At the wildlife rehabilitation center I work at, we generally find WNV only in crows, but hawks certainly can harbor it.

Mind you, I think that the 'problem' of WNV is somewhat over-hyped, but that's another thread...
 
chrisjeans said:
True, and if you're in an area where West Nile could be a problem, it's worth letting the appropriate authorities know. The fact that it could well have died of more natural causes makes it a little less of a concern, but you may want to keep an eye out in your area for dead birds with no apparent injuries, or birds with neurological problems: walking/flying difficulties usually.

At the wildlife rehabilitation center I work at, we generally find WNV only in crows, but hawks certainly can harbor it.

Mind you, I think that the 'problem' of WNV is somewhat over-hyped, but that's another thread...
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About 3 years ago when the first small birds started showing up dead, we were told to be on the lookout for dead birds. We called the number and they said that because it was just robins or sparrows that it wasn't a concern.

So, is Northeast Ohio "an area where West Nile could be a problem"?

Monty
 
MrMonty said:
So, is Northeast Ohio "an area where West Nile could be a problem"?

Monty
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Not compared to CA where I'm based. The CDC website has plenty of fascinating info.

Human cases 2005:

cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/Mapsactivity/surv&control05Maps.htm

(Sorry, I'm a newbie, no links yet)

Mind you, it's worth contacting the local health department if you find suspicious dead birds (and I don't think the hawk is particularly suspicious). The CDC needs the data!
 
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