Hi Steve, I have always sworn I would not get involved in such tag lines
but....having sat on Pandemic Planning Committees in the past, I think your
statement about the potential for this Crow to be a possible vector for the
introduction of Avian Flu is a very long bow.
Birds Australia released an Avian Influenza Statement in June 2006.
http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/images/stories/conservation/BA_statement_avainflu_jun06.pdf
Yes, avian flu has been detected in wild birds in many other countries. These
infections are usually associated with Anseriformes. The circumstantial
evidence supports that wild bird exposure to the H5N1 virus appears to be
associated with poultry movements, or the practice of using chicken manure to
fertilise paddocks which the birds then graze on. The incubation period is
rapid and infected birds rapidly drop off the mortal coil.
I will admit to being one of the many gullible birders that was completely
taken in by Evan's April Fools joke and, at the time, thought at least he had
the courage of his convictions. This demonstrates that I am not adverse to the
point of view that argues for adopting a precautionary response to potentially
invasive species...but please let us not use scare mongering tactics to justify
this response. The Dee Why crow poses no threat to our poultry industry.
Just as I thought Evan had done the right thing, I also thought Ed's comment
was well said. It is one bird. Given the information provided in BA's
statement on the species which have been associated with the spread of AI in
other countries, I have not seen anyone arguing for us to shoot/cull the odd
Garganey and Northern Shoveler when these species turn up on our shores - nor
would I unless the evidence suggested the birds were infected with H5N1.
Indeed, we need to be very careful about what we say about this issue. Such
statements can inflame fear in the general population which could lead to over
the top inappropriate responses towards migrating wild birds in general.
Regards
Judith
> From: > To: ;
> > Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] Re: House Crow, Dee
> Why, Sydney > Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 18:54:37 +1000> > Ed....Nobody thinks one
> bird is a threat, but presumably other crows can get> here by the same method
> used by the Dee Why crow. Why wait until there is> evidence of more than one
> before you do the logical thing and get rid of it?> The other thing is, a
> bird like the House Crow that hangs around human> habitation and quite
> possibly domestic fowl yards could easily harbour> disease that local birds
> are vulnerable to...even the big one: Avian> Influenza. > Steve Murray> >
> -----Original Message-----> From: >
> On Behalf Of Ed Parnell> Sent:
> Monday, 7 April 2008 6:37 PM> To: > Subject:
> [Birding-Aus] Re: House Crow, Dee Why, Sydney > > Unless I'm missing an
> amazing fact about House Crow reproductive biology why> is it that people are
> worried about a single bird? Presumably it isn't> really a threat that needs
> taking care of unless it meets up with another> House Crow of the opposite
> sex?!> > Ed> > > ===============================> www.birding-aus.org>
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