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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

??!! Long-Billed Syndrome

Posted by David Schmader on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Now that the election's over and we've confirmed that Scarlett Johansson is an illegal clone, we can turn to other pressing problems of the day, such as how come the beaks of Pacific NW birds are coming out all fucked up?

From a March report in the Seattle P-I, Deformed beaks mean slow starvation for region's birds; cause a mystery:

This "long-billed syndrome" has been recorded in about 160 birds by a Skagit County researcher, mostly in Western Washington and southern British Columbia and mostly since 2000. It's also documented in more than 2,100 birds in Alaska, where the phenomenon seems to have started affecting lots of birds in the early 1990s.

Researchers say the weird beaks appear to be concentrated in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, although reports are coming in from farther south -- from Southern California in one case earlier this month.

What's the cause? That remains a mystery. A small band of puzzled, poorly funded scientists is scrambling to find answers. Could it be chemicals? Something genetic? A disease? Maybe a combination?

Could it affect humans?

Whatever the cause, researchers are left profoundly unsettled by the mysterious "long-billed syndrome."

Googling the syndrome brings up a wealth of news reports and university studies about overgrown mandibles and decurved maxillas. There's a Flickr photo pool, Birds with Deformed Bills.

I blame crystal meth.

Comments (14) RSS

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Could this be caused by the same mystery that causes prevalent MS in the Pacific Northwest?

Posted by T-Bone on November 12, 2008 at 10:18 AM

Is it the rain?

Posted by the air? the trees? on November 12, 2008 at 10:27 AM

Drift from Chernobyl?

Posted by Billy Nilly on November 12, 2008 at 10:36 AM

This makes me profoundly sad. Uncontrolled growth of beaks that slowly starve them is so cruel. When harm comes to birds it could well be an indication that the enviroment we share is a danger to us as well. That is another reason why it is so crucial we investigate.

Posted by Vince on November 12, 2008 at 10:41 AM

Could be a virus.

Posted by Some guy on November 12, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Hmmm....that bill looks like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJLG85gn0…

Posted by cunei4m...why do i need to preview a comment now??? on November 12, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Hmm...in fear of getting slammed on Slog, I'll opt for "beak" as an alternative for "bill" in the previous post.

Posted by cunei4m on November 12, 2008 at 11:42 AM

Is it the trees? Is it the water? Is it the billboards?

Posted by zephsright on November 12, 2008 at 11:56 AM

Isn't this statistically normal? There must be millions of birds in the PacNW. Birds with deformed beaks are comparitively easy to spot. Sounds like a less exciting version of shark attacks to me.

Posted by blank12357 on November 12, 2008 at 12:06 PM

bird flu!!!

Posted by caitosaurus on November 12, 2008 at 12:34 PM

It's because of the Mormons, of course.

Posted by LongBilled on November 12, 2008 at 12:43 PM

@6, that was my thought exactly.

Posted by clausti on November 12, 2008 at 1:21 PM

To #7: though "beak" and "bill" are often used interchangeably, ornithologists and birders use the term "bill". Not meant as a slam, just an FYI. Just make sure you never say "seagull". Birders will beat you down for that.

Posted by rara avis on November 12, 2008 at 4:03 PM

There is a black-capped chickadee being documented in Western New York State at Rambling Woods.

Posted by Silverstar98121 on November 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM