Yippee! I have always wanted to mount a crow, but I was afraid of the lousy West Nile Virus. Well, after searching the net, I learned that people cannot contract the virus from birds, only mosquitoes. Search for yourself, and you'll agree that it is alright to mount crows.
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..on your hands. Birds can have a high concentration of virus in their blood---West Nile is a Blood Borne Disease and there is a potential for transmission.
Becky , what cave have you been living in ? Most of the population knows you can only get it from mosquitos . And by the way , its not only crows that get the disease but any bird can . The only reason they say crows is that its easier to find a large dead bird than a sparrow . The most important thing to do , is keep an eye on your kids as they seem to let the bugs bite them a lot . Use bug spray . Rick
It is true that birds don't spread West Nile directly to humans. However, the rules don't apply when it comes to taxidermy work. The brain matter of infected birds is loaded with the virus. Exposure to this matter via the mucous membranes, inhalation, or a stick/cut can cause you to become infected with the virus. My recommendation with them is to use latex or nitrile gloves, protective eyeware, and a surgical mask. West Nile is very easily aerosolized. Just be careful..
Crows and jays, as well as other corvids, seem to have no natural resistance to West Nile, so for them it is fatal. The virus multiplies out of control in their bodies. Other birds can get it too, but they are only sick for a short time and then develop immunity. Even when they are sick they are never as heavily loaded with the virus as a corvid.
A crow that is acting healthy probably IS healthy, but I would never totally trust it.
West Nile is just the media's "disease du jour" anyway ...
You are much more likely to die of the flu.
Use common sense, folks, and be DOUBLE cautious on any "found dead" specimens coming from nature centers or etc.
Wow , I stand corrected . Maybe I should get out more often . You see , you can teach an old dog new tricks . Rick