Birds

Hundreds of millions of birds are flying over Michigan this fall as part of their annual migration south. These travelers include shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl and songbirds, that can fly thousands of miles without stopping.

Ranchers across the Midwest are battling black vultures, a federally protected bird that has a reputation for killing newborn livestock. While the birds play a major ecological role, their expanding population is becoming a big nuisance for producers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave two companies the green light last month to produce and sell their cultivated chicken meat across the country. But it could still take years before people can buy the new meat at grocery stores.

The USDA is in the midst of vaccine trials for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Results can be expected by the end of August.

An Alpena kindergartener teacher recently opened the city's first bird rehabilitation clinic stationed in her own home.

For the second year in a row, a pair of peregrine falcons has produced eggs at Michigan State University.

A small backyard flock of 15 birds in Eaton County were impacted by the infection.

Skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoeing are all common winter recreation activities. But birding – or birdwatching – is also a popular winter pastime in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

In an effort to highlight Michigan birds and support local economies, the state has developed a 400-mile birding trail in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

After going 30 days without any positive cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in domesticated poultry, state officials have lifted the stoppage of all poultry and water fowl exhibitions.