Increase in crow deaths reported around Burnaby roost, says Environment Canada

Warning: Some readers may find the content of this article disturbing. 

There’s been an increase in crow deaths reported across the Lower Mainland, says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)—and it’s been concentrated around Burnaby’s large crow population.

ECCC is now investigating whether the mass death of dozens of crows earlier this month in Burnaby was caused by avian flu.

As Burnaby Beacon first reported last week, multiple visitors to the Central Valley Greenway near Still Creek in Central Burnaby between Dec. 11 and 12 saw multiple dead crows spread out in a small area near the creekbank.

Witness Robert Alstead told the Beacon that he estimated, through a cursory glance of the area, that there were well upwards of three dozen dead crows in the area—and likely many more hidden in the bushes.

Another witness, Burnaby resident Paul Cipywnyk, reported his finding to the provincial government’s BC Wild Bird Mortality Investigation program.

ECCC has been working with BC researchers and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to investigate cases where birds have been found sick or dead to determine if highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is responsible.

The agency said in an emailed statement that there’s been an increase in American crow mortalities in the Lower Mainland, but many of the reported cases have been found in Burnaby.

“Early reports indicate mortalities have been concentrated in Burnaby where there is a known night roost near Still Creek. As crows aggregate, the potential for transmission of disease, including HPAI, is increased,” the agency wrote.

“ECCC and the province are collecting American Crow specimens from various locations to test for HPAI; results will be posted on the HPAI Wild Birds Dashboard.”

Still Creek is famous for housing a roost for about 6,000 crows that migrate to and from the area from other parts of the Lower Mainland each night.

ECCC is warning the public against handling or feeding wild birds by hand. If you spot a dead, injured, or sick bird, do not touch it and immediately call the British Columbia Interagency Wild Bird Mortality call line 1-866-431-BIRD.

Meanwhile, the BC SPCA is asking residents to remove bird feeders amid an increase in avian flu cases around the Lower Mainland, particularly in areas like Richmond and Delta. Bird feeders can help spread the highly contagious virus through fallen seed and droppings that accumulate below them.

“The number of confirmed positive cases is just the very tip of the iceberg,” says Andrea Wallace, manager of wild animal welfare, in a press release last week.

“The number of suspected cases – alive or deceased – far exceeds the capacity to test the animals. In addition, many animals that pass away in the wild are never recovered.”

While transmission to humans is extremely rare, the virus can cause disease in humans who handle infected birds.