Midwest Mary

No Who

The spirited who-who-who-who
from a chorus of owls
sang out my bedtime lullabies
and early wake-up calls.

Owls would call to one another
to protect and attract.
Their conversations were lively,
and responses, intense.

But then came the deadly bird flu
that stole many winged lives
and leveled the lovely chorus
to just one survivor.

Now, only one bird can be heard.
No other owl responds
to the piercing who-who-who-who
in search of friend and foe.

*

Hundreds of millions of wild birds across the globe have died from the bird flu. The owl population along with other wild birds in the Midwest has drastically diminished. The calls that once were loud and clear now are rare.

In addition, over the last four months alone, avian bird flu has taken more than 20 million egg-laying chickens in the U.S. resulting in the high price of eggs.

Some precautions we can take to protect poultry include separating them from wild birds by providing enclosed housing for them, disinfecting footwear and clothing before contact, and cleaning equipment, cages, and surfaces, as well as, closely monitoring the birds.

We also should wash hands thoroughly after filling feeders, avoid contact with sick or dead birds, and control rodent populations because they can transmit the virus.

©Mary K. Doyle, 2025