Residents find multiple deceased birds in yards in Rock Springs

ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — A growing concern about deceased pigeons and doves throughout the community has residents asking questions lately on social media.

Rock Springs resident Cindy Camacho reached out to the Rocket Miner to find out what is happening to the birds.

Locals shared what they have seen in their yards after a resident alerted other social media users about the discovery of dead birds in her grandmother’s yard near Century Park.

Residents have chimed in saying they’ve seen several deceased birds on Sierra Drive, Oak Way, Ponderosa Way and the president-named streets.

A resident reported seeing a dove that was “super bloated” and “barely moved” behind the Maverick convenience store on Elk Street. Another stated that her 80-year-old grandmother found 26 dead birds in her yard since mid-June.

Some are wondering if the birds are impacted by the weather or poisoned and others have questioned if the Avian Flu or trichomoniasis is the cause.

According to Regina Dickson, information and education specialist for Wyoming Game and Fish, two doves have been brought into the agency’s office from Rock Springs. They will be tested for Avian Influenza.

“We should have those test results by the end of the week,” Dickson said, noting the office hasn’t received any reports of birds dying in Green River as of Tuesday, July 22. “If it is Avian Influenza, it is communicable to humans and pets, but it’s unlikely to be influenza. It usually does not impact the smaller songbirds on this level, but we’re going to work on ruling that out first.”

Dickson explained that the doves will be tested for other known “killers” of birds like trichomoniasis, which was found in Casper last year.

This story was published on July 26, 2025.