my friend forwarded me this. It was an infection, and it was rapid-onset. And Phoenix was a girl. I'm glad at least that it wasn't anything like rat poison or other human-caused death.

First report on Phoenix from the pathologists

Today at 3:20pm

This morning we received the preliminary findings from the necropsy
performed on Phoenix.

Phoenix was a female. She died from acute bilateral mycotic pneumonia.

Other tests results will become available over the next week, and will
confirm the causative agent.

Because Phoenix's death was caused by an infectious disease, sadly,
she cannot be returned to Hornby Island for interment.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Maj Birch (Mountainaire Avian Rescue),
Dr. Schwantje (wildlife veterinarian, British Columbia Ministry of
Environment) and Dr. Bowes (avian pathologist for the British Columbia
Animal Health Laboratory) for their dedication and determination to
learn as much from Phoenix as they could.

A.J.L., on behalf of Doug Carrick and the Hornby Eagle Group.

Terms:
Acute: rapid onset
Bilateral: both lungs
Mycotic: fungal
Pneumonia: inflammatory lung condition