Background of Beak Deformity Research Active
Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems or Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health >> Beak Deformities
The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped. Affected birds often have difficulty foraging and preening, and may not be able to keep themselves warm and well-fed during cold winter months. Although some birds with beak deformities breed successfully, they typically encounter more challenges than normal birds.
Typically, beak deformities are relatively rare among adult birds, with most published reports being of single anomalous individuals (Craves 1994). However, in Alaska, the prevalence of beak deformities in Black-capped Chickadees and Northwestern Crows is much higher than typical background levels for a normal, wild population. Based on reports from around the state, deformities in other Alaskan species also appear to be unusually common and warrant further investigation.
- Beak Deformity and Banded Bird Observation Report
- Beak Deformity Home
- Background
- Species Affected
- Physical Description
- Prevalence, Distribution and Timing
- Effects on Birds
- Possible Causes
- Photo Gallery - see the Multimedia tab
- Publications - see the Publications tab
- Links
- Landbirds
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Handel, C. M., L. M. Pajot, S. M. Matsuoka, K. A. Trust, J. M. Stotts, J. Terenzi, and S. L. Talbot. 2006. Potential Role of Environmental Contaminants in the Pathology of Beak Deformities among Black-capped Chickadees in South-central Alaska. Unpb. final rpt. Project ID: 1130-7F22. U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK.
Beak deformities in Northwestern Crows: Evidence of a multispecies epizootic
Epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: An emerging disease in North America?
Alaskan birds at risk: Widespread beak deformities in resident species
Use of buccal swabs for sampling DNA from nestling and adult birds
- Overview
Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems or Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health >> Beak Deformities
The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped. Affected birds often have difficulty foraging and preening, and may not be able to keep themselves warm and well-fed during cold winter months. Although some birds with beak deformities breed successfully, they typically encounter more challenges than normal birds.
Typically, beak deformities are relatively rare among adult birds, with most published reports being of single anomalous individuals (Craves 1994). However, in Alaska, the prevalence of beak deformities in Black-capped Chickadees and Northwestern Crows is much higher than typical background levels for a normal, wild population. Based on reports from around the state, deformities in other Alaskan species also appear to be unusually common and warrant further investigation.
- Beak Deformity and Banded Bird Observation Report
- Beak Deformity Home
- Background
- Species Affected
- Physical Description
- Prevalence, Distribution and Timing
- Effects on Birds
- Possible Causes
- Photo Gallery - see the Multimedia tab
- Publications - see the Publications tab
- Links
- Landbirds
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Over the past 20 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds. This disease, called avian keratin disorder (AKD), is characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening, and may suffer high rates of mortality. - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Handel, C. M., L. M. Pajot, S. M. Matsuoka, K. A. Trust, J. M. Stotts, J. Terenzi, and S. L. Talbot. 2006. Potential Role of Environmental Contaminants in the Pathology of Beak Deformities among Black-capped Chickadees in South-central Alaska. Unpb. final rpt. Project ID: 1130-7F22. U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK.
Filter Total Items: 16Beak deformities in Northwestern Crows: Evidence of a multispecies epizootic
Beak abnormalities are rare among adult birds and, typically, are not widespread in a given population, within a region, or across multiple species. A high concentration of beak deformities was recently documented in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and other resident avian species in Alaska. We describe a parallel condition in Northwestern Crows (Corvus caurinus) that signals the emAuthorsCaroline R. Van Hemert, Colleen M. HandelEpizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: An emerging disease in North America?
The sudden appearance of a large cluster of animals with gross abnormalities may signal a significant change in an ecosystem. We describe an unusual concentration of beak deformities that appear to have arisen rapidly within Alaska and now extend southward along the Pacific Coast. In Alaska we have documented 2,160 Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and 435 individuals of 29 other specAuthorsColleen M. Handel, Lisa M. Pajot, Steven M. Matsuoka, Caroline R. Van Hemert, John Terenzi, Sandra L. Talbot, Daniel M. Mulcahy, Carol U. Meteyer, Kimberly A. TrustAlaskan birds at risk: Widespread beak deformities in resident species
The team creeps silently across a well-tended lawn, eyes drawn to a small wooden box perched several meters up a lone birch tree. The first biologist is armed with a broom in one hand and a bug net in the other. Her partner wields a lunchbox-sized plastic case and a tree-climbing ladder that looks like an oversized radio antenna. A neighbor peers out her window from across the street to watch theAuthorsCaroline R. Van HemertUse of buccal swabs for sampling DNA from nestling and adult birds
We evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of using swabs to collect buccal epithelial cells fromsmall (2‐ to 13‐g) birds as a source of DNA for genetic studies. We used commercially available buccal swab kits to collect samples from 42 adult and 39 nestling (4‐ to 8‐day‐old) black‐capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and from6 4‐day‐old nestling boreal chickadees (P. hudsonica). We comparedAuthorsColleen M. Handel, Lisa M. Pajot, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage