Avian Flu: Debunking the "Wild Bird" hypothesis

This article argues that the threat of the spread of avian flu has been wildly exagerated and keeps us from looking at the real issue in this matter: how people raise poultry and handle the export-import of poultry.

He argues that if wild birds were spreading the flu, there would be outbreaks along migration routes, which has not happened. Few wild birds have tested positive for the Avian Flu. Those that have, had been hanging out near poultry farms.

The author touches on the ecosystem services of wildbirds that would be altered if we started culling wild populations, but does not name any of these services. It would be nice to know so that students have a better idea of what roles birds play in the world... then again, the mystery always allows for more inquiry.