If you find a dead bird on the beach, you have three options:
1. Leave the bird and report your finding to WDFW. (We expect that this will apply to most situations.)
2. Collect the bird using the guidance below and arrange transport to Katie Haman or other WDFW representative.
3. Take a choanal and/or cloacal swab sample and leave the bird on the beach. Contact Katie to arrange mailing of the sample.
1. Leave the bird and report your finding to WDFW. (We expect that this will apply to most situations.)
2. Collect the bird using the guidance below and arrange transport to Katie Haman or other WDFW representative.
3. Take a choanal and/or cloacal swab sample and leave the bird on the beach. Contact Katie to arrange mailing of the sample.
Prioritizing bird collection - New guidance for 2025
Due to 2025 state budgetary constraints, we have been advised to prioritize which birds we choose to collect. The following would fall into a category of high priority for testing for pathogenic disease:
1) Endangered or threatened species and Species of Greatest Conservation Need - see "At-risk Species" for WA state and WDFW SGCN Ch 3.
2) Finding >5-7 freshly dead birds in the same area
3) Prioritize seabirds over other bird species
4) Only collect very freshly dead birds (look for intact eyes)
Death of birds is a normal part of the cycle of life and does not always indicate a problem. Please do continue to report your findings, especially if something seems out of the ordinary (such as #2 above).
If you're unsure about what you should do, you can text Dr. Katherine Haman at 360-890-2031.
If you decide to collect a dead bird for testing in a state lab, click on the button below to access detailed instructions.
Due to 2025 state budgetary constraints, we have been advised to prioritize which birds we choose to collect. The following would fall into a category of high priority for testing for pathogenic disease:
1) Endangered or threatened species and Species of Greatest Conservation Need - see "At-risk Species" for WA state and WDFW SGCN Ch 3.
2) Finding >5-7 freshly dead birds in the same area
3) Prioritize seabirds over other bird species
4) Only collect very freshly dead birds (look for intact eyes)
Death of birds is a normal part of the cycle of life and does not always indicate a problem. Please do continue to report your findings, especially if something seems out of the ordinary (such as #2 above).
If you're unsure about what you should do, you can text Dr. Katherine Haman at 360-890-2031.
If you decide to collect a dead bird for testing in a state lab, click on the button below to access detailed instructions.
Reminder: Collecting bird carcasses or rescuing a sick bird is completely optional. It depends on how you feel about it and whether you can safely collect the bird, using the proper supplies and personal protection. Please only collect fresh carcasses- those are birds that still have intact eyes and haven't started degrading yet. If it smells really bad, it's not fresh. If you choose to leave the bird, please make sure to report it so that the state can investigate, if necessary.
Some excerpts from Katie's presentation - guidance on how to safely collect and store carcasses for transport to WDFW:
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To report sick or dead birds:
WA State Department of Avian Health
1-800-606-3056
WDFW Report Wildlife Observations Tool
https://wdfw.wa.gov/get-involved/report-observations
If collecting a carcass or swab sample, contact:
Katie Haman, WDFW Wildlife Veterinarian
360-890-2031
[email protected]
Marine Bird Rescues:
PAWS (Snohomish)
425-412-4040
https://www.paws.org
West Sound Wildlife Shelter (Bainbridge Island)
206-855-9057
https://westsoundwildlife.org
Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (Port Townsend)
360-379-0802
https://www.discoverybaywildbirdrescue.com
WA State Department of Avian Health
1-800-606-3056
WDFW Report Wildlife Observations Tool
https://wdfw.wa.gov/get-involved/report-observations
If collecting a carcass or swab sample, contact:
Katie Haman, WDFW Wildlife Veterinarian
360-890-2031
[email protected]
Marine Bird Rescues:
PAWS (Snohomish)
425-412-4040
https://www.paws.org
West Sound Wildlife Shelter (Bainbridge Island)
206-855-9057
https://westsoundwildlife.org
Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (Port Townsend)
360-379-0802
https://www.discoverybaywildbirdrescue.com