PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - A mysterious infectious disease or condition is impacting a number of common backyard birds.
The symptoms include a discharge or crusting around the eyes and eye lesions, and neurological signs like head tremors and falling over.
The illness was first spotted around Washington D.C. and Maryland.
"They're doing a number of different tests to try to figure out what could be involved, and they're looking at toxins, bacteria, viral, parasites, fungal - just about everything," said Jim Bonner, executive director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. "Thus far, all the tests have been inconclusive."
The ASWP recommends taking down bird feeders in order to prevent the animals from congregating.
Listen to the interview above to learn more.