Study: Waterfowl Movement Patterns May Impact Bird Flu Spread

Research from the University of Georgia examines how waterfowl travel distances could influence the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where a flock of waterfowl is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a dark background, emphasizing the birds' shapes and movement.Tracking the travel patterns of waterfowl could help predict and manage the spread of highly contagious bird flu.Athens Today

A new study from the University of Georgia has found that the movement patterns of waterfowl like ducks, swans, and geese may affect the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, in bird populations. Researchers analyzed 20 years of data on the travel distances of over 4,600 waterfowl across 26 species in the Northern Hemisphere, discovering that birds tend to stay in one place more during winter and breeding seasons when there is ample food, water, and shelter nearby. This could mean less overall disease spread, but also more concentrated outbreaks in those areas. Understanding waterfowl movement outside of migration could help predict where bird flu might spread next.

Why it matters

Tracking the travel patterns of waterfowl is crucial for anticipating and managing the spread of highly contagious bird flu, which can have devastating impacts on poultry farms, wild bird populations, and even pose risks to human health. This research provides new insights that could inform strategies for creating diverse habitats to keep waterfowl in one place and limit the geographic reach of potential outbreaks.

The details

The study, led by Claire Teitelbaum of the U.S. Geological Survey's Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the University of Georgia, examined 20 years of movement data from over 4,600 waterfowl representing 26 different species across the Northern Hemisphere. The researchers found that during winter and breeding seasons, the birds tended to travel much shorter distances in areas with ample human activity and resources like food, water, and shelter. This sedentary behavior could reduce the overall spread of bird flu, but also lead to more concentrated outbreaks in those localized hotspots.

  • The study analyzed 20 years of waterfowl movement data.
  • The research was conducted in 2026.

The players

Claire Teitelbaum

Assistant unit leader with the U.S. Geological Survey's Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and an adjunct assistant professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, who led the study.

University of Georgia

The institution where the research on waterfowl movement patterns and their potential impact on bird flu spread was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“If we provide enough diverse attractive habitats, these animals may want to stick around. If we want to keep the flu from spreading, we might want to see what we can do to keep the birds in one place, but there's that flipside. That's the underpinning: How can we link the distances that birds are moving to the distances that flu is moving?”

— Claire Teitelbaum, Assistant unit leader, U.S. Geological Survey's Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

What’s next

Researchers plan to continue studying the relationship between waterfowl movement patterns and the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with the goal of informing strategies to limit the geographic reach of potential outbreaks.

The takeaway

This research highlights the importance of understanding the travel behaviors of waterfowl outside of typical migration periods, as these movement patterns could significantly impact the transmission of highly contagious bird flu. By creating diverse habitats that encourage waterfowl to stay in one place, scientists may be able to help curb the spread of this dangerous disease.