Avian Influenza
Double-crested Cormorants. Photo: Feng Yu
Last updated: March 4, 2025
NYC Bird Alliance has been monitoring the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, since 2022, when it began to spread in wild bird populations in the U.S. While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates the health risk to humans remains low, the virus can be deadly for many bird species, particularly waterbirds, raptors, and corvids. We continue to work closely with state and local agencies to improve our prevention measures and protocols for our public programs and conservation initiatives to ensure both human and wildlife safety as the situation evolves.
NYC Bird Alliance has been monitoring the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, since 2022, when it began to spread in wild bird populations in the U.S. While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates the health risk to humans remains low, the virus can be deadly for many bird species, particularly waterbirds, raptors, and corvids. We continue to work closely with state and local agencies to improve our prevention measures and protocols for our public programs and conservation initiatives to ensure both human and wildlife safety as the situation evolves.
H5N1 has been around for many decades. It is most commonly found at industrial farming sites, where birds and animals like cows are held in close proximity to each other, but it does pose a serious threat to wild birds as well; in winter 2025, waterbirds were found dead in the Bronx Zoo, Central Park, New Jersey Parks, and have been washing ashore at NYC beaches.
Thus far, waterfowl (geese, swans, ducks, shorebirds), corvids (crows and ravens), and raptors (hawks and vultures) are the birds most impacted by H5N1. Passerines (perching birds like songbirds) are not yet being significantly threatened by the virus. This is a seasonal virus that spreads best in cold conditions, and we hope cases subside as the weather warms, but we are taking precautions for our spring season.
Please see below for information on general safety tips as well as information on our bird outings, community science programs, and conservation efforts this spring.
Please see below for information on general safety tips as well as information on our bird outings, community science programs, and conservation efforts this spring.
What should I do to prevent the spread of the virus?
The virus spreads through feces, saliva and nasal secretions, including airborne particles. Infected birds do not always show symptoms. We encourage everyone to follow safety guidelines around all birds, including:
- Do not handle sick waterbirds (ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds), raptors (hawks and vultures), or corvids (crows and ravens)
- Maintain a safe distance from waterfowl, raptors, and corvids, as well as poultry and dairy cows
- Do not feed waterfowl, which will cause them to gather in large numbers and increase spread of the disease.
- Do not feed any birds or dairy cows by hand
- If you handle any injured passerines (perching birds or songbirds), wear gloves. Change the gloves after handling each bird, and thoroughly disinfect everything afterwards, including any surfaces the bird touched. If transporting a bird in a vehicle, please wear a mask as well.
- To prevent spread in pets, keep dogs leashed when outside and, as always, keep cats indoors!
- Remove and disinfect shoes before going inside if you have walked through an area with a build up of waterfowl (duck and goose) feces.
What should I do if I see a sick bird?
If you see a bird that you suspect is sick, please maintain a safe distance from it and do not touch it—instead, report it to the appropriate authorities:
- For dead wild birds in NYC parks: Call 311 and report online to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
- For dead wild birds outside of parks: Report online to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
- For sick birds in New York City, please take the steps above, and for help with rescue you can contact Animal Care Centers at 212-788-4000, option 8, or call or text our partners at the Wild Bird Fund at 646-306-2862 for guidance on how to help the bird. Do not rescue it yourself!
What should I do if I see an injured or dead bird?
If you see a songbird or a pigeon:
- If the bird is dead, report it to dBird.org and then dispose of the carcass in a nearby trash bin.
- If the bird is injured, you can either:
- Wear gloves and a mask and bring the bird to the Wild Bird Fund at 565 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10010 (hours: 9am-7pm, 7 days a week). Be sure to disinfect everything afterwards, including surfaces the bird touched.
- Wear gloves and a mask and contain the bird in a closed paper bag or box with holes for ventilation, keep the bird safe with you, and contact us at injuredbird@nycbirdalliance.org for help with transportation (not guaranteed). Please include (1) confirmation that the bird is contained, (2) the species if you know it, (3) a description of the bird’s condition, (4) your exact location, (5) your phone number, and (6) a photo/video of the bird if you have one.
If you see an injured waterbird (geese, swans, ducks, shorebirds), corvids (crows and ravens), and raptors (hawks and vultures):
- Maintain a safe distance from the bird.
- Do NOT attempt to contain the bird yourself.
- Contact us at injuredbird@nycbirdalliance.org or the Wild Bird Fund at 646-306-2862 and include (1) the species if you know it, (2) a photo/video of the bird, (3) a very precise location (borough, neighborhood, and exact address), and (4) your phone number.
If you see a dead waterbird (geese, swans, ducks, shorebirds), corvid (crows and ravens), and raptor (hawks and vultures):
- Do not touch the bird!
- For dead wild birds in NYC parks: Call 311 and report online to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
- For dead wild birds outside of parks: Report online to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
How is this affecting NYC Bird Alliance's conservation work?
Our conservation goals remain the same, but we are adjusting our methods to keep research teams and volunteers safe from any potential threats. The main change affects how we study the waterbirds that nest in groups, the colonial waterbirds of New York Harbor. Instead of walking through nesting areas as part of annual Harbor Herons nesting surveys, we will be conducting the surveys by boat to avoid disturbing colonies. And when our scientists work with gull colonies, they’ll wear Personal Protective Equipment (masks, gloves, etc.) that meets safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Will Project Safe Flight collision monitoring continue this spring?
Yes, our Project Safe Flight collision monitoring is continuing this spring. Passerines (perching birds) are the most common collision victims and they are rarely infected by H5N1. Out of an abundance of caution, our volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear disposable gloves and masks. We also ask that volunteers change gloves in between picking up birds to avoid being a vector for disease transmission. Project Safe Flight volunteers will be advised of these safety protocols before the start of the monitoring season.
Will NYC Bird Alliance accept dead birds to be dropped off at the office?
Yes, carcass collection will remain optional for Project Safe Flight volunteers. We will be accepting dead birds dropped off to our office by volunteers during set drop off times this spring. We will not be accepting dead birds brought in by non-Project Safe Flight volunteers.
Will your Injured Bird Rescue program continue this spring?
Yes, we will continue our Injured Bird Rescue volunteer program in collaboration with the Wild Bird Fund to rescue birds that collide with buildings or are otherwise sick/injured. However, we have implemented several safety modifications including:
- Volunteers will not be sent any transport requests concerning highly susceptible species (waterfowl, raptors, or large corvids). All such situations will be handled exclusively by the Raptor Response team, which includes Urban Park Rangers, WBF staff, and others who are trained to safely handle raptors.
- We strongly advise that volunteers wear masks and gloves when handling all birds.
- We strongly advise that volunteers disinfect all surfaces and equipment after handling birds.
Our injured bird transport volunteers will receive detailed guidance on these safety protocols for the spring season.
What about your Harbor Heron survey programs?
Yes, we will continue our annual Harbor Herons nesting surveys documenting wading bird abundance in New York Harbor, but with important changes for safety. Instead of walking on the islands where birds nest, we'll observe colonies from boats this year. This prevents our team from potentially spreading H5N1 between colonies and reduces their exposure risk.
We've made this change because the islands present unique challenges: dense plants with thorns and poison ivy make it impossible to wear proper protective equipment. Also, these waterbirds naturally respond to perceived threats by releasing droppings and regurgitating, which would expose our surveyors to bird bodily fluids.
What about your biodiversity monitoring program of green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure continues to provide important refuge for birds across New York City, and our work to document the value of green infrastructure remains unchanged.
Are you still conducting bird outings?
Yes, we’re continuing to offer our full schedule of guided bird outings and classes across the City’s five boroughs this spring! While waterfowl have been found sick in our parks, the CDC indicates the risk to humans is low. Our organization is in close contact with bird guides, parks partners, and public health officials to ensure both public safety and wildlife protection during this time.
More Information and Resources:
We encourage the public to stay up-to-date on the latest guidance about the H5N1 avian influenza virus by viewing the NYC Department of Health’s and the Centers for Disease Control’s Avian Influenza webpages. We will continue to update our guidance on this page as well as as the virus evolves and the situation changes.
