Nebraska falcon dies from HPAI

An adult female peregrine falcon named Chayon died from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a man-made nesting box on the WoodmenLife Tower in Omaha, on April 18.

The nest was outfitted with a live feed webcam, before Chayton’s death she was observed behaving strangely, according to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.  

HPAI testing on Chayton was done at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center, after her body was picked up by Game and Parks. 

HPAI is a disease that is found in both domestic and wild birds and can be spread between the two. Because peregrine falcons consume other birds regularly, Chayton may have eaten a bird that had HPAI. 

Since March 7, there have been six cases of HPAI in domestic birds in Nebraska, it has also been detected in wild geese, a swan, American white pelicans and bald eagles. 

Dead birds should be reported to Game and Park offices, while domestic birds should be reported to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). 

Symptoms of HPAI include unstable coordination, sudden death, respiratory discomfort and swelling of head, according to the NDA.

Wild birds can carry HPAI without showing symptoms and pass it to domestic flocks. In wild birds HPAI has been detected in 34 states, while detection in domestic birds has occurred in 29 states.