Gannets, the large seabirds found in the North Atlantic, may have a secret weapon against avian flu.
A recent study has shown that the blue irises of northern gannets turn black after surviving avian flu, making it possible for researchers to detect the virus in wild birds.
The Effect of Bird Flu on Northern Gannets
Studies have proven that the avian flu has been a significant threat to wild and domestic birds for decades, but the current strain, H5N1, has severely impacted seabird populations across the North Atlantic.
Last year, gannets were particularly affected, with high death rates observed in many colonies, according to researchers.
The Guardian tells us that scientists from several organizations investigated the timing of avian flu outbreaks across the North Atlantic range of gannets, with a detailed study conducted on the Bass Rock in Scotland, which is home to the largest gannet colony in the world.
Spotting a Remarkable Change on Gannets
In the previous year, a group of researchers noticed a fascinating observation - gannets breeding on the Bass Rock displayed black irises instead of their typical pale blue coloration.
Interestingly, the shade of black varied among individuals, ranging from solid to speckled patterns. The researchers then collected blood samples from 18 healthy adult gannets with both normal and black irises to examine their antibody levels for bird flu.
Through this study, the researchers were able to determine whether the birds had previously been infected with the virus, out of the eight gannets that tested positive for bird flu antibodies, an overwhelming majority of seven exhibited black irises.
According to Dr. Jude Lane, a conservation scientist, and the study's lead author, this recent discovery is fascinating. It has the potential to serve as a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool, the researcher also noted.
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However, further research is required to determine its effectiveness with other species and to examine any potential negative impacts on the birds' vision.
In addition, ophthalmology exams will be necessary to determine the underlying causes of the black coloration.
More Findings
According to The Guardian, last year saw a startling surge in the number of dead gannets found in Iceland during April, while five Canadian colonies and the Channel Islands were hit with bird flu outbreaks by the end of June.
As the calendar progressed, a clockwise pattern of infection spread to 12 British and Irish colonies, with the last known cases appearing in September.
Astonishingly, nearly all 41 colonies under observation reported abnormally high mortality rates, save for a sole exception.
To quantify the impact of these events, researchers have calculated that adult birds on Bass Rock experienced a 42% lower survival rate between 2021 and 2022 compared to the preceding decade.
However, the number of birds lost during that period cannot be accurately determined until the upcoming breeding season concludes.
The study was a collaboration between the RSPB, the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and the Animal Plant Health Agency in partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre.
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