The small flock of White Throated Sparrows that spent the winter in my yard (Columbus) have been gone for over a week. The Juncos are still here.

For those interested, following is an interesting bird story.


Greenwire story 

BIRDS: Deformed beaks puzzle scientists (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)

The odd occurrence of oversized beaks in Pacific Northwest and Alaska birds has left scientists puzzled.

The "long-billed syndrome" affects birds of different species, in different locations and exposed to different chemicals and environmental effects. The one thing the scientists understand about the syndrome is that it is a problem.

"It's really tragic. It's grotesque. It's horrible. It makes me want to puke," said Bud Anderson of the Falcon Research Group based in Skagit County, Wash., where 160 birds with misshapen beaks have been identified.

The enlarged beaks prevent the birds from preening, leading to dirty and matted feathers that are often infested with feather lice. And more alarmingly, the large beaks prevent the birds from eating, essentially starving them.

"Who knows how many have died out in the field?" Anderson said.

Birds' beaks are made of keratin, similar to human fingernails and hair. Normally, the beaks grow continuously but wear down with use. The Pacific Northwest scientists are puzzled over why the Washington and Alaska birds' beaks are growing so rapidly.

Scientists considered a deficiency in vitamin D, which comes from sunlight, as the cause for the beak overgrowth but discounted that idea because the area has had constant amounts of sunlight for a long period. 

They also discounted the idea that chemicals or pesticides affected the birds because the pesticides used in the area are used everywhere, and the beak overgrowth seems to be a local or regional problem. The scientists have also discovered chickadees in the wilderness -- away from chemical or pesticide exposure -- with the enlarged beaks (Robert McClure, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 30). 

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