Birds' beak deformities increase in Northwest

http://www.app.com/article/20101109/INSIDE/101109020/Birds-beak-deformities-increase-in-Northwest-

Studies have shown in Alaska and the Northwest that beak abnormalities in wild bird populations is at its highest rate. For this study, they used Alaska crows in six coastal locations. These beak deformities follow a trend that was found earlier in Alaska's black-capped chickadees. The cause of this disorder is called avian keratin disorder. The keratin layer of the beak becomes overgrown, resulting in elongated and often crossed beaks. It shows up in adult birds sometimes causing elongated claws, abnormal skin or variations in feather color as well. Even though the chickadee and the crows live in different habitats and eat different things, they are still being affected by this same deformity. These birds usually need to rely on humans and bird feeders to eat now. Scientists say beak deformities can be caused by environmental contaminants, nutritional deficiencies, and bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections. This deformity is spreading and there isn't much at all we can do about it.