A great horned owl found dead in Cary tested positive for bird flu after a resident reported seeing multiple bird carcasses by their pond. The owl was collected by a state biologist on Feb. 11, and the test result came back Tuesday.

Rising numbers of great-horned owls, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks have been getting sick and dying of bird flu this winter as the virus continues to mutate and circulate in North American wildlife.