A wave of mysterious songbird deaths may be reaching Connecticut after starting in Washington, D.C. before spreading as far as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Animal experts at the Connecticut Audobon Society say they're not sure what's causing massive bird die-offs in the midwestern and southeastern U.S.

"The birds tend to get crusty discharge around the eyes and nose, and then they become lethargic, obviously they can't fly or they can't see," says Audobon Society Director Patrick Comins.

He says the phenomenon may have spread to Connecticut - as dozens of dead bird reports surfaced in Milford this week.

An unknown pesticide or disease are the likely culprits, but Comins says if this is a disease, it's not one researchers have seen before.

In the case that a bacteria or virus is to blame, the Audobon and the State DEEP are asking state residents to help stop the spread by not feeding the birds and not putting out bird baths.

The Earthspace Environmental Learning Center in Westport normally has bird feeders all over the property, but experts say the birds will be all right finding their own meals.

If you've found multiple dead birds in your yard in a short span of time, contact the DEEP.

Officials say if you do find dead birds, you should only handle them with gloves and make sure any pets don't have access to them.

The DEEP says the birds themselves should be disposed of. The agency is only looking for photos - not the actual birds.