There was a news item several days ago on AP which I read on the internet that several thousand mallard ducks were found dead in what was called "south central" Idaho. Apparently a preliminary autopsy on some birds indicated that the ducks died from a bacterial infection. (Asian bird flu is not suspected) I wonder if any Westerners have heard anything as a follow up to this story. Mallards always seemed to me to be a real hardy duck and if I was a duck hunter in Idaho, I would be scared so I hope someone can give an update on this story. (The news item said that Fish and Game authorities were warning hunters not to touch such dead birds if found)

Preliminary diagnosis is that the birds died from eating moldy grain gleaned from a nearby field. Forget the name of the actual poison, but it's pretty well solved.

The creek was near Oakley. HTH, Dutch.

The problem is aflatoxin poisoning. It is pretty much an every year thing in this country. The grain hits the ground, gets moist, and the mold grows. Birds eat it and it is extremely toxic to them.

The mold name they mentioned was NOT aflatoxin, it was another one. FWIW, Dutch.

Ergot ?? Not uncommon purple mold found on grains .Has the parent chemical of LSD ! Makes people do weird things !!

Dutch:

Glad to read that there is an explanation. Thanks for the info.