Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Bird flu has killed at least 18 Michigan eagles this year. More deaths feared
July 2, 2025
Laura Herberg
...
In February, a bald eagle was found in Bellaire, Antrim County, struggling to take flight, flapping her wings as she twisted in lopsided circles in the snow. After a concerted effort, she gave up and rested on her belly, breathing heavily.
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That bird was one of at least 18 eagles in Michigan that have lost their lives to bird flu so far this year, according to testing data provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Disease Laboratory. Results from 16 more suspected cases are pending. If they come back positive, that could bring the total to 34.
...
In 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza, a severe type of bird flu, hit Michigan. That year, the Wildlife Disease Lab found 71 eagles it tested died of the disease.
...
Bill Bowerman, a University of Maryland researcher who’s been studying eagles since the 1960s, is looking into the impact bird flu’s had on Michigan’s eagle population for a forthcoming study. While disease normally accounts for about 6% of the deaths of Michigan eagles tested in the lab, Bowerman’s team found that, in 2022, disease accounted for about 40% of lab-tested deaths, with the overwhelming majority testing positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.
This had a significant impact on the population, Bowerman said. Eagle populations are often measured in terms of breeding pairs, couples aged five or older occupying nests. In Michigan, Bowerman’s team found pairs went from 1,085 in 2022 to 633-671 in 2023, a reduction of about 40%.
...
After 2022, the number of eagles testing positive for bird flu went down, with fewer than 10 positive cases in 2023 and 2024 combined. But highly pathogenic avian influenza is still spreading, and case numbers appear to be going back up.
...
https://www.bridgemi.com/outdoors-l...st-18-michigan-eagles-year-more-deaths-feared
July 2, 2025
Laura Herberg
...
In February, a bald eagle was found in Bellaire, Antrim County, struggling to take flight, flapping her wings as she twisted in lopsided circles in the snow. After a concerted effort, she gave up and rested on her belly, breathing heavily.
...
That bird was one of at least 18 eagles in Michigan that have lost their lives to bird flu so far this year, according to testing data provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Disease Laboratory. Results from 16 more suspected cases are pending. If they come back positive, that could bring the total to 34.
...
In 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza, a severe type of bird flu, hit Michigan. That year, the Wildlife Disease Lab found 71 eagles it tested died of the disease.
...
Bill Bowerman, a University of Maryland researcher who’s been studying eagles since the 1960s, is looking into the impact bird flu’s had on Michigan’s eagle population for a forthcoming study. While disease normally accounts for about 6% of the deaths of Michigan eagles tested in the lab, Bowerman’s team found that, in 2022, disease accounted for about 40% of lab-tested deaths, with the overwhelming majority testing positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.
This had a significant impact on the population, Bowerman said. Eagle populations are often measured in terms of breeding pairs, couples aged five or older occupying nests. In Michigan, Bowerman’s team found pairs went from 1,085 in 2022 to 633-671 in 2023, a reduction of about 40%.
...
After 2022, the number of eagles testing positive for bird flu went down, with fewer than 10 positive cases in 2023 and 2024 combined. But highly pathogenic avian influenza is still spreading, and case numbers appear to be going back up.
...
https://www.bridgemi.com/outdoors-l...st-18-michigan-eagles-year-more-deaths-feared
