You can help monitor Los Angeles County for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), West Nile Virus (WNV), and potentially other diseases in birds.  Whenever you see a dead bird, report it! 

If the bird is freshly dead and resources are available, it may be possible to test the bird.  Share this flyer about reporting dead birds in Los Angeles County

Safety First!
Never touch a dead bird with your bare hands. Use gloves, shovel or cover hands with intact waterproof bag before handling. If an agency is coming to collect the bird, put the bird in the bag in an accessible, shady location. Be sure to wash your hands after.  Do not bring dead birds indoors.

Reporting dead birds

• Individual dead birds. Freshly dead individual birds might potentially be collected for HPAI or WNV testing

   

  • Avian Influenza Testing:

    • Dead waterfowl (like ducks and geese), shorebirds (like gulls), poultry, large birds that die may be tested for Avian Influenza. Report the bird to your animal control agency. They might be able to collect and hold it for testing.
      
      
      

• West Nile Virus Testing:

  • Dead crows and ravens may be tested for West Nile Virus. Contact the California WNV Dead Bird Hotline at 877-WNV-BIRD or 877-968-2473. Watch this video from the California Department of Public Health to learn how to collect a bird for testing.
    
    
    

• Groups of dead birds

   

  • Report clusters of three or more dead birds of any species for possible additional testing to both your animal control agency and to LA County Veterinary Public Health at 213-288-7060.