Dead Bird Collection

A health department official will come and inspect the bird if it meets all the following criteria:
  • The bird is a Robin, Blue Jay, or Crow
  • The bird has not been dead longer than 24 hours
  • The bird has not been damaged by other animals
  • The bird is not decomposed

  • Decomposing animals can be recognized as having a strong odor; eyes deflated or dried, maggots present, or bloated from decomposition gases.
  • DO NOT place the bird in a plastic bag! This increases the decomposition rate.

Not all birds will be looked at and/or collected. Each year the state determines the number of bird allotted to each county to be tested. Due to this, the health department has to be very particular in the birds taken to the state laboratory. Towards the end of the West Nile Virus season, the state laboratory may also allow other species of birds to be submitted. For this reason, we ask the community to report all dead birds, not matter what species they are.

Birds not eligible for pick up should be placed in a plastic bag. The plastic bag can then be placed in your trash can. Wash your hands after you have disposed of the bag.


 

To report a dead bird  - 217.123.3988 Ext. 1134