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Question: I live in a condo and found a fourth bird that has died on our premises. Can you provide the number to call when you find dead birds to test for bird flu?
Answer: The state Department of Health took calls to pick up and test dead birds during the height of concerns over avian influenza (bird flu) and the West Nile Virus.
But the agency now taking calls is the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.
Contact Christy Martin, public information officer for the group, at 808-722-0995 or christym@hawaii.edu to report dead birds.
She said not all dead birds warrant the filing of a report.
Since the Department of Health’s vector control and veterinary staffs have been cut because of budget constraints, Martin said, “the vast majority of dead birds will not be picked up or tested.”
The exceptions are if it is a dead native bird, such as an iiwi or elepaio, or if there are “really unusual numbers” of dead non-native birds (10 or more in an area) and particularly if multiple species are affected and there is no indication that a bird feeder is nearby.
Martin explained that bird feeders harbor bacterial and other diseases, and make transmission easy.
In your case, she said you should check to see if there is a bird feeder on or near your property and if there are any signs of “damage” to the birds.
“As the weather warms and birds start to nest, we see more dead birds, and this is a normal, natural part of bird population dynamics,” Martin said. “I always get more calls when it is really windy (birds get blown into windows and other structures), and in the spring.”
She said the good news is that most dead bird reports concern zebra doves and pigeons, “which are highly unlikely to carry diseases that we are concerned about,” she said.
The two main diseases of concern continue to be avian influenza and West Nile virus, although Martin pointed out that neither disease is known to occur in Hawaii, “and monitoring bird health is a key component of early detection.”
The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, formed in 1995, is a partnership involving federal, state, county and private agencies and organizations involved in invasive species work.
Question: Does a person need a driver’s license or just a permit to operate a mo-ped? I have asked several police officers and have gotten several opinions, including, “I don’t know.”
Answer: You can operate a mo-ped with an instruction permit, as with any other motor vehicle.
A permit would be issued if, “except for a lack on (sic) instruction in operating a motor vehicle, you would otherwise be qualified to obtain a driver’s license,” according to the city Department of Customer Services, which issues driver’s licenses and permits.
That means being tested on your eyesight and on “possess(ing) the physical and mental capabilities to safely operate a motor vehicle; and on your understanding of highway signs and knowledge of traffic laws.”
Individuals operating a mo-ped or motorcycle with an instruction permit don’t have to be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older.
In fact, they are not allowed to carry any passengers, nor are they allowed to operate the mo-ped in darkness.
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Mahalo
To Waianae police officers Lucas, Chun Ming and Tupuola. On the morning of Jan. 19, while I was sitting at the Waianae transit center, my bag was snatched by a young male. Through the quick response of the three officers and the security guard at the Waianae Mall, Mary Matias, I was able to recover my bag with all my belongings. I will forever be grateful to these fine individuals. — J. Foster
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