Starling drowning in mass has left scientists baffled. Researchers have begun to study these bizarre and unusual cases after finding 10 groups of starlings drowning in the UK. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has led a team of British scientists to investigate the mysterious mass death of Common starlings. The academic journal Scientific Reports has published the details of their work so far. Wild birds are relatively rare to drown, with only one instance of this happening. According to Dr. Becki Lawson (ZSL wildlife vet), starlings can be seen being drowned together in large groups, sometimes involving ten or more. A number of juvenile starlings were found drowned in a plastic container. Image: Scientific Reports. Dr. Lawson, along with his colleagues, studied 12 separate cases of starling mass drownings that occurred between 1993 or 2013. On ten occasions more 10 birds died. Only juvenile birds drowned. In all cases, these unfortunate birds were just a few weeks old and died during the spring/early summer. According to the authors, there was no evidence that any disease or underlying cause caused death. Dr. Lawson stated that drowning is more prevalent among younger birds because they are less skilled in water hazards identification. This, combined with the fact starlings are social birds could explain why several birds may drown at once.” The public in Great Britain has been crucial in reporting this unanticipated cause of starling death to us. We need to know more about starling mortality in the UK. Image: Scientific Reports. The red-listed starling species was co-authored by Rob Robinson (Associate Director of Research, British Trust for Ornithology). Robinson said that while drowning can be an unanticipated cause of death it is not considered a threat to conservation as these types of incidents are rare. We still have to learn more about factors like disease and other causes that could be contributing to the decline. “We ask that you continue to report starling deaths, regardless of cause, through the Garden Wildlife Health site.” Maybe adding ramps could help Water, which is an essential resource for wild birds during summer, may be a solution. As a support for garden wildlife, people are asked to keep providing bird baths or ponds. However, experts recommend that water features have a sloped exit or ramp in order for animals and birds to access them. Anyone in the UK who observes a sick or dead bird or other animals in their garden can report it to the project website. Citation: “Drowning (suspect and unexpected recurrent cause) of common starlings’ mass mortality (Sturnus vulgaris)” Becki Lawson. J. Paul Duff. Katie M. Beckmann. Julian Chantrey. Kirsi M. Beckmann. Kirsi M.Peck. Richard M. Irvine. Robert A. Robinson & Andrew A. Cunningham. Scientific Reports 5, Article Number: 1702. 25 November, 2015. DOI: 10.1038/srep17020. Related article: Male hummingbirds sing with their tail feathers.
Scientists baffled by starlings drowning in masses
