Robins Implicated in West Nile Virus Spread

Since its discovery in the US in 1999, it's been assumed that crows are a major vector in the spread of the virus across the country. However, a DNA analysis of blood taken from mosquitoes in Connecticut found that only one percent of the mosquitoes had fed on crows. Forty percent, however, had fed on robins.

More studies will be done, of course, as it's hard for even scientists to believe the beloved songbird could be a major carrier of West Nile.