A flock of European starlings litter a feedlot in Fallon, Nev., several years ago.
Wildlife biologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services and the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will begin removing non-native European starling populations around several dairies in Churchill, Lyon and Nye counties.
Due to their large numbers, the birds are a nuisance population and spread disease and contaminate food and water sources for livestock, putting animals at risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), salmonella and E. Coli infections.
With the recent detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in Nevada, the removal of these starling populations is critical to mitigating the spread of disease.
In the event that the public finds dead or dying birds during the removal, Wildlife Services recommends handling the birds with single-use gloves and disposing of them in the trash.
The dead birds do not need to be reported. Residents unable to dispose of the starlings may call the USDA at 775-851-4848 and provide the location of the birds by address.
For more information, visit agri.nv.gov/wildlife.