In the past month or two, there have been an increasing number of reports of black-billed chickadees in Southcentral Alaska with crossed bills. These birds are most often seen at feeders by bird enthusiasts. The birds continue to feed by tilting their heads and using the sides of their beaks to prehend food. Last week our passerine biologist, Colleen Handel, mist-netted on of these birds. I trimmed the beak on this individual and the bird was released. The affliction does not seem to be secondary mites or avian pox. Trauma is a possibility, but no other species are seen to be affected. Genetics or contaminants may be possibilities, but it seems odd that only one species would be affected by a contaminant in this way. Colleen is continuing to investigate this strange problem.

IF YOU SPOT ANY OF THESE BIRDS, CONTACT COLLEEN HANDEL (http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/bpif)