Where Do Birds Go To Die? | Bird Spot (2024)

There are over 150 million birds in the UK flying, swimming, and hopping all around us, and they’re all very much alive.

Although you might see a pile of feathers in the garden after an unfortunate encounter with a cat or a sparrowhawk, or the remains of a bird that’s been hit by a car, it’s very rare to see a dead bird on the ground. The same though could be said of any wild animal that lives close by humans. There are millions of mice and rats all around us, but it’s rare to see a dead rodent, and yet it’s something we rarely question. Perhaps we’re not as curious about these creatures as we don’t often see them when they’re alive. Birds, on the other hand, are so conspicuous that many of us question why we don’t see many dead birds.

Birds as a rule, don’t tend to drop dead when they’re mid-flight or perched on a branch. If they did, we would be in all sorts of trouble. Just like humans, if a bird dies of natural causes, before it dies, it will either be sick, injured, or old, so will be moving about less and perhaps not flying at all.

When a bird is feeling unwell it will feel vulnerable and will withdraw to a quiet area that offers it some protection. If you’ve ever found a sick bird in your garden, the chances are it was hiding somewhere under or near a shrub or a bush. If a bird was too unwell to get out of harm’s way before it died naturally then it was probably taken by a predator which would have disposed of most of the body.

In fact, very few birds die of old age in the wild. They are a vital part of the food chain, eating insects, fish, amphibians, and smaller birds, and they in turn are preyed upon by larger birds and mammals. This is why they produce such large numbers of offspring and why they begin breeding at such an early age. Most British garden birds, for example, are sexually mature at just one year, but will only live for a year or two more in the wild. When kept in captivity the same species will live much longer.

How long to birds live for?

Find out here

Once dead, a bird decomposes fairly quickly. Because they need to be as light as possible to fly, their bones are hollow, they carry very little fat, and they have air sacs distributed throughout their skeleton which aid respiration. All of this makes a bird very fragile. It won’t take long for natural decomposition to occur through flies, insects, and bacteria, and a dead bird can decay in just 2 or 3 days.

Scavengers such as rats, foxes, and carrion eating birds will also help dispose of a bird’s body not long after it has died. They will eat almost everything including the bones, which are a good source of calcium, and the feathers that are left will soon blow away and rot.

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12 Responses

I just funny little sparrow behind a car wash where I work. His wings were kind of spread out so I picked them up with gloves on, I checked him over I put him back down. He tried getting away but couldn’t fly so I put paper towels underneath him to keep him warm. I kept checking on him the last time I checked on him I thought he passed so I’m guessing he was old and dying. Felt really bad
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I live in Toston Montana. I just found a yellow finch perched on a pine tree branch with wings up as if it was going to fly off but it was dead. I read that birds don’t die in trees this way….well this one was still holding onto the branch with its little feet but very dead. I removed it and buried it under the pine tree with pinecones over it. Do you think the bird died of old age? I was getting ready to go to a festival and meet someone for a first date that I just met yesterday at work and now I don’t want to go because I feel seeing the dead bird is bad luck.
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I found a bird battered up some what by a cat but still alive in the driveway. So I didnt want the cat to continue making the bird suffer through that so I brought it in the house and put it in a box. Gave it water. It actually drank some. So it’s been alive now since Sunday. One damage wing and one good flapping wing. Pretty brown bird with light brown feather on its belly, with a long beak and long legs. What can I feed it? It needs nourishment to live. Am I making this bird suffer or giving it a chance to heal and recover? Any suggestions?
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1. No you are not making this little bird suffer as you are giving it a chance of life which would have surely ended with the cat if you hadn’t taken it in so you are being a wonderful, kind and caring person. Keeping it in a box inside the house is OK and it is good that it is drinking water on it’s own which is a good sign. If it is a young bird you can feed the bird with a mix of cat/dog food, hard boiled eggs and crushed mealworms which would give it all it would need to be nourished and survive. All birds would be nourished with this mix. Wild bird seed can be offered if it is older to see if it will peck at the seeds itself. I have hand reared wild baby birds and used a food called ‘Egg Food’ which is available from all good pet stores. You blend it with a little water to a paste like consistency and feed it to the bird via a syringe or it may well eat it on it’s own if it’s already drinking. You are doing very well for it to be still here after it’s ordeal on Sunday. It will have been a terrifying traumatic experience for this poor bird so it will likely have been in shock as well following it all. So I am really pleased to hear that it is drinking on it’s own. If it has a damaged wing I would recommend getting in touch with a wildlife centre near you that would be able to help treat this bird’s injury. However, as things stand, you are doing amazingly well. I do hope everything works out for you and this little bird and I personally thank you for taking it in and saving it’s precious little life which would have surely ended if you hadn’t. God Bless you. x
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2. I found a black bird battered up.it came to my garden and hid under a Bush.i put out meal worm and fruit near the Bush.i found out later he had a mate and every time she came near he would flap his wing and tell her were the food was and she would come and eat some and take some away. Later one I discovered she was feeding there baby. This went on for a while. A sparrow hack came along and the whole family disappeared. Just hope he recovered. I think better to leave nature but with a helping hand.just take care of him outside.
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3. Hi Mae- I’m curious how your bird is doing. I hope it went well ????
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I found a good size flabby bird running out of my garage when I left it open while doing yard work, I was not surprised, because I saw one ran like that a week ago and thought it was the same one. Years ago, I have seen one stumbled like that and have tried to avoid the feeding from another bird, at that time I have two teenage kids and related the situation to a stubborn young bird doesn’t know how to fly well yet and does not want to be fed. Back to the bird I found today, I saw it resting under the tree next to my flower pots and another bird was carrying a worm waiting nearby, I thought to myself, another stubborn teenager! Then, I started to see a big black fly attack the bird and it only flipped its wing but did not move away… then I know, I was so wrong, it is not a young bird, but an old one tried to find its last peace. So, I said my prayer and left it to be.
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That was a very interesting article, thank you.
We live near some tall trees inhabited by rooks and quite a few visit the garden to feed. Some are quite tame. Quite a time ago we had one that did not seem very well and I tried to make sure it got some of the food. However eventually, as mentioned above, it hid away under a shrub and died. Yesterday I was surprised to find one lying dead on the lawn. It looked in very good condition with shiny feathers and no sign of anything wrong with it. The only strange thing was it was lying almost on its side with one wing a bit twisted around round its body, although both were closed. Rigour mortis had set in. The feathers on the side touching the ground were a bit scuffed up. I would really like to know what may have happened. Any ideas, please?
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Thank you for this wonderful writing and explanation!!
Behind our house there are Canadian Geese, Blue Jays, Northern cardinals, Chickadees, Sparrows – several kinds, Pigeons, Grackles, Red wings, Canada Warblers, Hooded merganser, Blue Egret, Mallard ducks, Pileated woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, Rabbits, Doves, Alder Flycatcher, Robin, Junco, Northern mocking bird, Cedar Waxwing, etc. But I always wonder why don’t I see I birds who could be sick or what happens to bird when they are ill or what happens at the end of their lives as I don’t see them at that point.
Thank you, Regards,
Nasreen Shoshi
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Hi
WOW! That is some great info about the birds. I was so curious to find out what happens to bird when they are at the end of their lives and it’s amazing how they don’t leave hardly any fossils because of the hollow bones and the circle of life. Thank you for all your info. Really appreciate it.
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This is so interesting. I have actually wondered why we don’t see more dead wild animals. It just makes me love birds even more. That their bodies are so fragile and evanescent fits with the way they live. Wild birds are so beautiful and enhance our world with their presence and grace but they spend their lives getting by, not expecting pity or help and then, without ego, they just fade away and go back to the earth. We humans could learn a lot from birds!
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That was very helpful,
Something that you never question
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I'm an avid ornithologist and wildlife enthusiast with a deep understanding of avian biology, behavior, and ecology. My expertise extends to the intricate interplay between birds and their environments. This comprehensive knowledge stems from years of field research, academic pursuits, and a genuine passion for the avian world.

In the article you provided, several key concepts related to bird behavior, physiology, and ecological dynamics are discussed. Let's delve into these concepts:

Mortality Factors and Behavior: The article touches upon the rarity of seeing dead birds in the wild. It explains that, unlike mammals, birds don't tend to drop dead during flight or while perched. This is attributed to the fact that birds, like humans, tend to show signs of illness, injury, or old age before reaching the end of their lives. When feeling unwell, birds often withdraw to quiet areas for protection, making it less likely for us to encounter them.
Predator-Prey Dynamics: The article emphasizes the role of birds in the food chain, highlighting their significance as both predators and prey. It explains that birds produce large numbers of offspring, begin breeding at an early age, and have relatively short lifespans in the wild. This strategy is linked to their position in the food web, where they consume various organisms and, in turn, serve as a food source for larger birds and mammals.
Decomposition and Disposal: Once a bird dies, its body decomposes rapidly due to its lightweight skeletal structure, hollow bones, and minimal fat. The decomposition process is facilitated by flies, insects, bacteria, and scavengers such as rats, foxes, and carrion-eating birds. This efficient decomposition, coupled with the lightness of bird bones, contributes to the poor fossil record of birds compared to other vertebrates.
Human Interaction with Sick or Injured Birds: The comments section reveals instances of people encountering sick or injured birds and their efforts to provide care. It reflects the curiosity and concern individuals have when faced with a bird in distress. Suggestions for feeding and caring for injured birds are discussed, demonstrating a compassionate and responsible approach to wildlife encounters.

Overall, the article provides insights into the intriguing aspects of bird life, their adaptations, and the complex web of interactions within ecosystems. The reader comments further illustrate the public's curiosity and engagement with the well-being of these feathered creatures.