AMERICAN WOODCOCK (SCOLOPAX MINOR) MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH A REOVIRUS

A virus isolate associated with a 1989-90 die-off in American woodcock (Scolopax minor) was identified as a reovirus. Emaciation was a consi stent necropsy finding in the woodcock involved in this die-off. This reovirus infection appeared to be systemic, had the potential for feca l-oral virus transmission, and was associated with deterioration of bo dy condition. To our knowledge this is the first report of a virus iso late from wild American woodcock. A survey conducted in 1990-92 indica ted chat this virus was not present at detectable levels in the woodco ck breeding and wintering population.