At one time, some of the County Health Departments had funding for screening dead crows and jays for West Nile. But, I haven't heard of that going on recently. I might be out-of-the-loop.

The National Wildlife Health Lab in Madison Wisconsin does a wide range of diagnosis but they need to be contacted ahead of time and, generally, the carcass needs to be sent, overnight, unfrozen but packed on "blue ice" or with frozen water bottles. There's a form that needs to be filled out to accompany the carcass.

I would check with your county health department first.

Two days ago, I was told of claims that are circulating concerning the disappearance of crows and how "you can't even find a magpie in Eastern Washington anymore." I didn't believe it but thought it interesting that such stories were going around.


Kelly McAllister
Olympia, Washington