Dead Bird Testing

If you have questions or concerns about bird health or dead birds, please call the Colorado HELP Line at 1-877-462-2911. Staff is available at this number from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

If you find a dead bird and know what type it is, please follow the instructions below.

• If the bird you found is a pet or domestic bird please contact the CSU avian disease veterinarian at 970-297-1281.
• If you have found a dead wild bird and it is a corvid, which includes crows, ravens, magpies, jays (pictured below) or it is a raptor or a grackle, the bird may be tested for disease but must meet the following criteria:
  • Must have been dead less than 48 hours
  • Exact location of where the bird was found must be provided (street address or cross street).

If a bird meets these criteria, please call the Environmental Health Division at 303-441-1564.

• If you have found 1 or 2 dead songbirds, please dispose of them by using gloves or an inverted plastic bag to place the bird carcass in the garbage.
• If you have found 3 or more dead songbirds, or a gamebird, shorebird or type of waterfowl please contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Dried out, foul, or maggot-infested birds cannot be tested. If several birds from one area have been submitted for testing, additional birds from the same area may be unnecessary and could be rejected.

Boulder County Public Health does not conduct bird testing, but submits them to the CDPHE laboratory in Denver or one of five regional public health laboratories.

When collecting the dead bird, remember:

• Don't touch it. If possible, put the bird in a clear plastic bag. Avoid bare-handed contact with any dead animals, and use gloves or an inverted plastic bag to place the bird carcass in a garbage bag.
• When in doubt, call us at 303- 441-1564.

For more information:

• West Nile virus
• Avian flu