In the last nine months, I’ve twice had the opportunity to examine window-struck birds found in the vicinity of the workplace.  One, a juv. Black-throated Green warbler (if I remember correctly), was found last fall and had likely “encountered” the HHS skyscraper on Fisher Lane while in night flight.  The other, a Red-eyed Vireo, was found recently below a panel of large windows opposite a stand of mature trees.   Both gave an opportunity to closely examine, for a time, birds that can only be seen very briefly and usually at a great distance.  For example, it was hard to understand how the Vireo’s bill could be described as “heavy” when looking at it up close, although I guess all things are relative.  The “tiny” hook at the tip of the Vireo’s upper beak was there as advertised, but after seeing it, I think a better adjective to describe it would be “exquisite.”  The colors of the plumage are also worth examining up close.  My co-workers were mostly surprised that I would “risk” handling a dead bird and the question of West Nile (but not AI) came up briefly, but they and others including building security staff were also, eventually, very interested in checking it out and in knowing what it was and that such lovely creatures lived among us.  So I would advise looking on dead birds as learning and perhaps teaching tools, but, yes, do wash your hands eventually.


Jim Speicher
Jspeicher—at—niaid.nih.gov
Rockville @work :(
Broad Run_S. FRED Co @home :)