Hi Barryt and Tweeters,

The jay you describe could be suffering from a number of things. At the top
of the list is trauma - flew into window, car, etc. One of the problems with
diagnosing WNV is that there really aren't symptoms specific to the virus.
It really takes a lab test to diagnose it. It is suspected, however, that
corvids are more susceptible to WNV than many other bird families.

In cases of suspected West Nile Virus, you should contact your county
(King?)health department to see if they want the bird. Different counties
have different policies.

Good luck!

Dave Parent, DVM, Freeland



-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Levine,
Barron
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 9:11 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] West Nile Virus symptoms in a dieing bird?

Tweeters,
Anyone know what symptoms a bird dieing of West Nile Virus would show?
We have a Steller's Jay on our campus that is on the groung completely
incapacitated, showing labored breathing, clear fluid oozing from the
bill and seems to be in the final stages of dieing.
Should this bird be turned over to Fish and Wildlife?

Barryt Levine
Ecology/Biology Teacher
Newport High School
4333 S.E. Factoria Blvd.
Bellevue.Wa. 98006
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