Dead starlings puzzle Torrington residents

Jess Oaks
Posted 1/15/25

TORRINGTON – Dozens of reports have been circulating social media for the last few days regarding European Starlings being found throughout the county dead. Some residents have counted five …

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Dead starlings puzzle Torrington residents

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TORRINGTON – Dozens of reports have been circulating social media for the last few days regarding European Starlings being found throughout the county dead. Some residents have counted five while others have reached near the double digits, all European Starlings and all deceased. 

“United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services recently conducted a DRC-1339 application, targeting European Starlings near Torrington. DRC-1339 is a bird-specific avicide used to reduce populations of targeted species where warranted. Once the avicide is ingested by the targeted species, it typically takes between 24-72 hours for the birds to succumb to its effects which generally happens at the roost site,” the wildlife services department released in a statement. 

According to local experts, the starlings carry a few diseases and this time of year normally brings more birds to the Torrington area. 

“They’re a non-native and invasive species that are potential disease vector of multiple varieties. Avian influenza one of course but the other thing too, is a lot of times when you get out of these cold weather cycles, you get large congregations of these starlings and sold between the amount of fecal contamination that can occur from that, especially at the roost sites if they end up and fields are eating seed or something like that they can do a lot of damage on that end the spectrum as well,” Brady Smith USDA Wildlife Services (WS), District Supervisor said. “It’s not uncommon time of year to see congregations of 10,000 to 50,000 European Starlings. When you start seeing congregations like that it does become an issue.”

According to the release, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, WS program recommends and uses integrated wildlife damage management approaches to reduce the damage caused by specific wildlife species.

“This approach employs methods to prevent damage from occurring and to stop damage once it begins. All techniques used meet strict guidelines for safety, selectivity, and effectiveness. These methods may involve changing management practices, modifying habitat, dispersing animals, or removing wildlife. A combination of these approaches is generally used,” the USDA explained. 

According to Smith and the USDA, animals, including livestock and domesticated pets are not in danger. 

“Please rest assured that deceased birds do not pose a threat to your pets, as DRC-1339 is metabolized within two hours after ingestion by the targeted species. Wildlife Services has collected carcasses at several roost sites; however, in the event you find deceased birds in your yard, WS recommends handling the birds with disposable gloves when disposing in the trash,” the USDA release explained. “This is the same recommendation when handling any deceased wildlife to prevent the spread of disease or parasite. If you do not wish to dispose of the birds yourself, you may contact the Wildlife Services State Office at (307) 261-5336, and our personnel will respond as soon as we can to collect the deceased starlings for you.”