These Birds Didn’t Have Chlamydia or West Nile. But They’re Still Dying.

After birds died in several states, many blinded with crusted-over eyes, wildlife officials were able to rule out a number of pathogens as the cause.

Jim Tinnell, a wildlife rehabilitator in Ohio, was suspicious when he received his first sick blue jay of the season on May 24. “Blue jays just don’t come into rehab that often,” he said, citing his 40 years of experience rehabbing birds. “They’re great parents.” Three days later, he had six sick songbirds in his care. All the birds appeared emaciated and functionally blind, their eyes crusted shut. Mr. Tinnell gave each bird a warm eye compress and applied antibiotic ointment, to no avail. All the birds died within 48 hours.