Deformed bird beaks trigger environmental hunt

[BridgeTheGap]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The highest rate of beak abnormalities ever recorded in wild bird populations has been detected in Alaska and the Northwest, according to a new study.

"The prevalence of these strange deformities is more than 10 times what is normally expected in a wild bird population," said co-author and research biologist Colleen Handel.

The U.S. Geological Survey study on beak deformities in northwestern crows in Alaska, Washington and British Columbia follows a trend found earlier in Alaska's black-capped chickadees. The USGS said its experts would continue to look for the cause and further study the impacts.

Handel and wildlife biologist Caroline Van Hemert published their findings in The Auk, a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. They captured Alaska crows in six coastal locations and used documented reports and photographs for birds elsewhere.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40089416/?gt1=43001

[kestrel91316]

1. I'm sure the RW will just call it Gawd's will and pooh pooh any effort to

track down the cause and undo the harm.

[thereismore]

2. I bet you can eat a chickadee with or without a crooked beak. What's the problem.

:dunce: