PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has been receiving reports of bird mortality events throughout the state, primarily involving Canada geese. Wildlife biologists from the Division have inspected the dead geese at several locations and attributed the deaths to malnutrition as a result of the severe winter. The mortalities appeared to have been spread out over time. Snow and ice covered and preserved most of the carcasses during the winter months, but now that the snow and ice are melting the carcasses are becoming visible. Also, in shoreline areas, tidal movements have been pushing those carcasses ashore. The Division has also received reports of eagles and coyotes as well as other mammalian predators and scavengers feeding on the exposed carcasses.
During winter, Canada geese traditionally feed by grazing in agricultural fields or in shallow waters. However, with significant snow and ice cover, geese are unable to forage in fields and in shallow waters. During these times, geese spend a majority of their time on the open waters of coastal ponds and estuaries where they utilize fat and muscle reserves to survive. This winter prolonged snow and ice cover prevented geese and other waterfowl from feeding, and in some areas pushed geese beyond the duration of what their bodies could sustain without food. The lack of available food, coupled with depleted internal reserves, led to small-scale localized morality events in many shoreline areas across the state. As snow and ice cover melts, traditional food sources become available, enabling geese and other birds to replenish their internal reserves
. The Division encourages the public to report any birds that have metal bands on their legs. Individuals are asked to take note of the band number and report it to the United States Geological Survey's Bird Banding Laboratory by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263), or by logging onto www.reportband.gov. Biologists utilize bird bands for various research projects that inform conservation and management of the species.
For further information contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Great Swamp Field Office in West Kingston at 789-0281.