Reports of dead birds washing up on Lake Michigan beaches sparking new fears over bird flu​on February 4, 2025 at 6:22 am

CHICAGO (WLS) — WARNING: Some may find the visuals in this story disturbing.

Reports of dead birds washing up on beaches along Lake Michigan are sparking new fears over bird flu.

Over the weekend, volunteers canvassed North Avenue Beach, disposing of a couple dozen birds, with dozens more washed out into the lake.

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“We began getting calls about dead and dying and sick birds on many of the beaches from all the way as far north as Wilmette down to the Hyde Park area,” said Annette Prince, with Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.

Prince said over the last three days their phones have been busy, with reports of waterfowl, mostly common and red-breasted merganser, a type of duck, washing up on shore. Some were sick and some were already dead.

“They don’t come onto land. They’re not a bird that will walk up onto a beach. They spend most of their life in the water. So, seeing them up on shore is an indication that they’re in distress,” Prince said. “We’re concerned that the birds that are still out there could be preyed on by other birds. We’re seeing crows and gulls going after the dead bodies on the beaches, and we’re worried that the virus may spread to other species.”

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Prince said while nothing is confirmed, the symptoms mirror confirmed cases of avian flu in the area over the past two months. Last month, the Lincoln Park Zoo lost a harbor seal and a Chilean flamingo to the bird flu. And, in Matteson, a chicken farm was hit by bird flu, wiping out 3,000 hens.

“That’s something that’s concerning, more just to understand where it would be coming from, why it would be happening,” dog owner Kathleen Palla said.

Dog owners walking North Avenue Beach are keeping a closer than normal eye on their pets. As for human health, experts say cases of avian flu should not be a cause for panic.

Palla said her 4-year-old sheepadoodle, Louis, is rambunctious. He’s curious, and will sniff around.

“We don’t think there’s any really serious public health threat with this. So, obviously, it’s bad for the birds, and it’s been really bad for domestic poultry flocks. And, we have to depopulate those so it doesn’t spread,” said Jim Lowe, a University of Illinois professor of veterinary clinical medicine.

Although COVID is still fresh on the minds of millions, Lowe said right now there’s no reason for people to worry.

“You know, the whole concern is, you don’t want this going from the birds to the people,” dog owner Sean Hunter said.

With the poultry industry impacted by avian flu, the impact on most Americans has nothing to do with their health.

“We’ve seen egg prices go from, you know, $2 a dozen, to $6 a dozen. And eggs are really affordable, high-quality protein for people. And so, people who depend on that as part of their protein schedule, that’s probably crimping their budgets,” Lowe said.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said if there are five or more sick or dead wild birds, their district wildlife biologists should be contacted.

And, do not touch them.