Finding a dead bird in your yard can be unsettling. Keep children and pets away, avoid bare-handed contact, and check whether your state wants the bird reported before disposal.
Do not prod the bird to confirm death or try to diagnose disease from its appearance.
Pause Before You Touch the Bird
If the bird may still be alive, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, animal control office, or local wildlife agency. Do not offer food or water.
If you found domestic poultry, several dead birds, or an unusual wildlife death, contact your state wildlife or animal health agency before moving anything.
CDC says reporting practices differ by location. State health departments, wildlife agencies, mosquito-control programs, and agricultural agencies may collect selected reports.
- Possibly alive or injured: contact a wildlife rehabilitator or animal control.
- Domestic poultry: contact your state animal health official or USDA.
- Several birds or an unusual death: report it to state wildlife or health officials.
- One dead wild bird: check local reporting policy, then follow the handling steps only if authorities decline collection.
Report Unusual Deaths
A report can help officials watch for West Nile virus, avian influenza, poisoning, or another event affecting local wildlife.
Do not decide whether the bird had West Nile virus or bird flu. Species, location, number of birds, and current surveillance needs shape the agency’s response.
USDA asks the public to report large-scale wild bird die-offs or unusual signs. Your state may also have an online form or hotline.
Note the location, date, number of birds, and species if you recognize it safely. A photo taken from a distance may help the agency.
Dispose of a Single Bird Safely
Use these steps only after the responsible local agency declines testing or collection and local disposal rules allow household trash.
Wear disposable waterproof gloves. If you have none, use an inverted plastic bag over your hand or a shovel to lift the bird.
Place the carcass directly in a plastic bag. Seal it, put it inside a second bag, and place it in a trash container secured from children and animals.
Watch for the beak and claws, which can puncture a bag. Do not squeeze, cut, wash, or otherwise disturb the carcass.
CDC advises keeping a carcass awaiting testing in a cool location away from food. Do not place it in a household refrigerator or picnic cooler.
Clean Up After Handling
Remove and discard the gloves without touching your face. Wash your hands with soap and water after the bag is secured.
Clean and disinfect a reusable shovel or tool according to the disinfectant label. Avoid pressure washing material that could splash or become airborne.
If a pet touched or ate part of the bird, contact your veterinarian for advice. Do not use the article to diagnose an exposure.
For another small animal, see how to dispose of a dead mouse.