The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is investigating the deaths of songbirds in five Indiana counties, including LaGrange.

DNR is working with the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center to determine the birds’ causes of death.

The four other counties are Clark, Jefferson, Lake and Monroe.

The affected songbirds showed neurological signs of illness as well as eye swelling and crusty discharge, according to Indiana DNR.

“Several species are being affected,” said Allisyn-Marie Gillet, DNR ornithologist, “including blue jay, American robin, common grackle, Northern cardinal, European starling, and a few others.”

Several samples have been sent to IN ADDL. Gillet said that all bird samples submitted have tested negative for avian influenza and West Nile virus. Final lab results are pending.