Wild Bird Control

Researchers are confident that the “spill over” event of HPAI from migratory waterfowl into dairy cattle occurred once in late 2023 or early 2024 in the Texas panhandle. It is believed that most subsequent infections resulted from viral transfer via either infected cows or as mechanical transfer on equipment, boots, vehicles etc.

While spread via migratory waterfowl is a minor method of disease spread, if it occurs at all, samples from local non-migratory birds have been found to carry the HPAI virus. This suggests that one potential method of disease spread from dairy to dairy might be on or in local birds such as starlings and sparrows.

Wild Bird Deterrence (Webinar) – In April of 2024 CDQAP wildlife biologists and control experts from USDA as well as a poultry biosecurity expert together for a webinar addressing wild bird movement patterns and deterrence on dairies. CDQAP created a webpage where all the presentations can be viewed, and the slides downloaded.     

Wild Bird Control on Dairies – This CDQAP newsletter summarizes the highlights from the webinar described above.