The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) Wildlife Health Centertracks worldwide wildlife mortality events and makes the information they gather available to the public in an easily accessible format. I was relieved to see news sources finally turning to them for a broader perspective on the recent cluster of bird mortality events.

Unfortunately, while events such as the Blackbird deaths in Beebe, Arkansas draw a lot of hysterical speculation, species whose populations are dwindling toward extinction don’t often get a lot of splashy media attention. You may not be able to help ornithologists in Arkansas, but there’s something you can do to help the Rusty Blackbird, whose population has declined between 88 and 93% over the last four decades.

The National Zoo’s Migratory Birds Center’s Spotlight on Birds explains how you can help:

From January 29 through February 13, 2011, you can help scientists learn more about rusty blackbirds and where they spend their winters by participating in the Rusty Blackbird Blitz. Volunteers are asked to search for rusty blackbirds in any potentially suitable habitats and submit their observations via e-Bird.

Go read the whole Spotlight piece and read up on the Rusty Blackbird. Those little guys need your help!