Feeling a little beaky today . . .

Vermilion Flycatcher with mildly deformed beak, Muddy River, Clark Co., NV, June 2012

You may have read about an epidemic of beak deformities in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.  Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, Alaska) are attempting to determine what factors are causing these deformities. Among the potential causes are: contaminants, nutrition, disease /parasites, and/or genetics.

The prevalence is mindboggling - they are reporting within their study area an approximate 6.5% of adult Black-capped Chickadees and 17% of adult Northwestern Crows that have some degree of beak deformity.  And it's not just Alaska - Britain has been reporting higher rates of beak disorders as well.

What you may not have heard is that USGS is also attempting to track potential spread of these deformities, and is accepting records from across North America.  If you find any such individuals, you may report them here.  Useful information to include with your sighting includes: location, date, habitat, any other physical or behavioral abnormalitieis - and a photo if you've got one!  The British Trust for Ornithology is collecting similar information on their side of the pond, listing some of the types of beak deformities.  If you find any birds with these deformities, please report them to USGS - and if you're in/near Nevada, please send that information GBBO's way, as well!

Happy birding!

-- Jen