WESTERLY, R.I. (WPRI) — Two snowy owls have been found dead within the past week, one in Rhode Island and the other in Massachusetts.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) told 12 News on Monday that they received a report of a dead bird at Napatree Point in Westerly.

The bird's body was spotted on a frozen portion of Narragansett Bay and couldn't be retrieved, according to the DEM.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) also confirmed that a different snowy owl was found dead on Sunday at Duxbury Beach. The bird was swabbed on Monday morning so it could be tested for the bird flu.

The DEM said it is not highly unusual for snowy owls to be spotted in Southern New England this time of year.

"Snowy owl sightings south of their tundra breeding grounds are often fueled by food abundance, driving 'booms' and 'busts' in production of young from year to year," DEM spokesperson Evan LaCross explained. "In years where production is high, but post breeding food sources are low, we can see instances of hungry young snowy owls flying south looking for food."

LaCross said the owls face new challenges when they journey south.

"Human disturbance, different predators, and lack of habitat are all contributing factors hampering the chances of survival for snowy owls in our area," he said.

This comes after MassWildlife reported that more than 60 geese, swans and other birds died in Plymouth last week, likely due to the bird flu.

While the virus rarely infects humans, people are being advised to refrain from touching any bird that appears sick or is dead.

If you find five or more wild dead birds in Massachusetts, you should report your observations here. You should report sick or dead domesticated birds by calling (617) 626-1795.

If you see a sick or dead wild bird in Rhode Island, you should report it here. You should report sick or dead domesticated birds here.