On Tuesday afternoon a Wires rescuer in Katoomba picked up a group of 24 Red
Wattlebirds which had been eating Amanita muscaria (big red toadstools with
white spots, usually found under pine trees). Most of the birds were in a
really bad way, with severe diarrhoea and blood coming from the beak - a
most distressing sight for the rescuer. 17 of the birds died before
anything could be done for them, 1 had severe head injuries when bitten by a
dog, and the remaining 6, after copious amounts of fluids, recovered
completely and were released the next morning.
I have worked with Wires for many years and have never heard of any birds
poisoned by these toadstools before. Does anyone have any other records of
this or any ideas on how the birds could be treated if it happens again?
Jill
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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