Standard safety precautions should be taken whenever handling wild birds.

The Department of Interior’s National Wildlife Health Center has issued the following guidelines: 

• Do not handle birds that are obviously sick, or birds found dead.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game birds, then wash hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not visibly soiled;
• Thoroughly clean all knives, equipment, and surfaces that come in contact with game birds;
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handing or cleaning wild birds;
• Cook all game meat thoroughly (to at least 165°F) to kill disease organisms and parasites.

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