What's up with blackbirds dying?

[robbyr]

Couple months ago I bought a large ( 40 pounds I think ) bag of birdseed at Walmart. Two new feeders in our front yard. Noticed a lot of blackbirds coming through for couple weeks. One day while weedeating I saw one sitting in grass just a couple feet from me. It would kinda fly/flutter for ten to twenty feet. Eventually I caught it and set it on a limb. Short while later noticed it dead. I did wash my hands thoroughly just in case. Next day my son comes over and points out another dead blackbird around corner of house. Just odd. Cardinals and some other birds ate at feeders without any problems. Got suspicious of birdseed so didn't put any out again until two days ago. Had not seen blackbirds for weeks but they showed up at feeder. You guessed it. Another blackbird on the ground that doesn't wanna move. No cardinals or any other bird affected. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I would be looking for granular insecticide or an herbicide like casoron that has been applied in your area. Are any farmers planting treated seed, or landscapers working in your area. I doubt it is the bird seed, more likely poison that has been misapplied. What kind of blackbird are they? Brewers blackbird? Red winged blackbird?

 

[robbyr]

Don't have red on wings? Nobody farming around us.

 

[ruffdog]

Bird-Kote....."Vitamin And Mineral Enriched." What's up with that?

 

[robbyr]

Bird-Kote....."Vitamin And Mineral Enriched." What's up with that?

No idea. Have used the small bags of Pennington for years. Was happy to find this big bag.

 

[MossRoad]

Couple months ago I bought a large ( 40 pounds I think ) bag of birdseed at Walmart. Two new feeders in our front yard. Noticed a lot of blackbirds coming through for couple weeks. One day while weedeating I saw one sitting in grass just a couple feet from me. It would kinda fly/flutter for ten to twenty feet. Eventually I caught it and set it on a limb. Short while later noticed it dead. I did wash my hands thoroughly just in case. Next day my son comes over and points out another dead blackbird around corner of house. Just odd. Cardinals and some other birds ate at feeders without any problems. Got suspicious of birdseed so didn't put any out again until two days ago. Had not seen blackbirds for weeks but they showed up at feeder. You guessed it. Another blackbird on the ground that doesn't wanna move. No cardinals or any other bird affected. Anyone have any ideas?

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Call you local health department and see what they have to say.

 

[ArlyA]

I though the West-Nile disease was killing blackbirds and other?? They'd get ill and die from it over time. Do let us know if you learn anything.

 

[radios1]

it's possible the birdseed was sprayed with a chemical at walmart. a pest killer, or disinfectant..

 

[ArlyA]

it's possible the birdseed was sprayed with a chemical at walmart. a pest killer, or disinfectant..

And it went through the plastic bag?

 

[Oldpath05]

First thing I'd check is where the bird seen was made and packaged.