Scientists in Wichita who’ve been studying the feathers of a small bird called the dark-eyed junco have come across something interesting, and possibly troublesome. The Wichita Eagle reports that scientists found pathogens resting in the birds’ belly feathers. This might not necessarily be a concern normally, but here’s where things get interesting: The winter habitat of juncos is being degraded. Intensified agriculture is causing the birds to choose less than optimal habitats. Namely, wheat fields. In other words, habitat destruction may be causing the dark-eyed juncos to drop their otherwise harmless pathogens into farmers’ wheat crops.
Scientists are still unsure whether the microbes are bad for our food supply. The scientists suggested that restoring fence rows and woodlands along rivers would give the juncos a better home, and thus obviate any possible danger.
