Dead Birds

Report unusual sickness or die-offs in wild birds to the Florida Fish and Wild Life Conservation Commission. You can also call the Florida Department of Health in Calhoun County’s (DOH-Calhoun) Environmental Health office at 850-674-5645, Ext. 237.

Report unusual sickness or die-offs in domestic poultry to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry. You may also submit by phone at 850-643-6677.

A report can also be filed with the USDA area office or by email to VSFL@USDA.gov.

If you need to dispose of dead birds yourself, please read the following instructions:

• Do not handle bird with your bare hands – wear latex or rubber gloves.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling carcass.
• Pick up bird with plastic bag by reaching through the bag with your hand and pulling the bird in, turning bag inside-out. 
• Place the bagged bird inside another plastic bag and discard in garbage receptacle.

Alternatively, you may choose to pick up the bird with a shovel and bury in the ground: Dig a hole about two feet deep, place bird carcass in the hole using the shovel to scoop it in, and cover with soil. Remember to disinfect shovel with a bleach solution when you are done. Don’t forget to wash your hands.