Finding a dead bird can be an upsetting experience. While it’s sad to see any creature deceased, it’s important to handle these situations properly for your own health and to show respect for the animal. This article will walk you through what to do if you find a dead bird on your property.
Is the Bird Really Dead?
Before doing anything else, you’ll want to check carefully to see if the bird is actually dead. Small birds like sparrows and finches may appear dead when they are simply stunned from flying into a window or injured. Gently nudge the bird with a stick or gloved hand to see if it moves. If it does, the bird may still be alive. We recommend carefully placing it in a cardboard box lined with a towel and bringing it to a wildlife rehabilitation center for care. There are a few signs that indicate a bird is deceased rather than stunned:
- It does not respond at all to gentle prodding
- Its body is stiff, with legs splayed out
- There is no rise and fall of breath in its chest
If you observe any of these signs and the body is cold, the bird has likely passed away. If there is evidence of blood or injury but the body is still warm, the bird may have just died and there could be a slim chance of reviving it. Rush a still-warm bird to a wildlife rehabilitator just in case, but otherwise you can assume it has died.
Protect Yourself From Diseases
Before touching any dead bird, it’s crucial to protect yourself from potential disease transmission. Here are some steps to take:
- Avoid direct skin contact by wearing gloves, using a plastic bag turned inside out to pick it up, or using a shovel to scoop it up.
- Do not touch your face or mouth while handling the body.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after disposing of the remains.
- Clean any surfaces or tools that came into contact with the bird.
- Monitor your health in the following 2 weeks, watching for flu-like symptoms that could indicate illness.
Take these precautions even if the bird looks undamaged and disease-free. Some contagious conditions like avian influenza can infect humans and have serious consequences.
Check for a Leg Band
Look closely at the bird’s legs to see if it has a small metal or plastic band around one ankle. These bands are used by researchers to track bird migration and survival rates. You may need to move the feathers around to get a clear look. If you find a band, note down the numbers and letters engraved on it. You can then report the code to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) along with the location and date the bird was found. This helps provide valuable data to ornithology studies.
Dispose of the Body Properly
Responsible disposal of the body prevents spread of contamination. Here are some safe methods:
- Backyard burial: Dig a hole 2-3 feet deep in an out-of-the-way spot. Place the body in the hole and cover back up with dirt.
- Curbside trash: Seal the body tightly in a plastic bag and place in your household garbage bin. This works for small birds like sparrows or finches.
- Landfill drop-off: For larger birds, contain the sealed bag with the body in your garbage can and take it to your local landfill’s drop-off site.
- Incineration: In some areas, dead animal remains can be incinerated at a crematory.
Avoid composting bird carcasses, as some diseases can persist in the compost pile. Do not dispose of a dead bird in a body of water, as this can spread contamination.
Additional Steps for Larger Birds
Large birds like hawks, waterfowl and turkeys require additional care. Here’s what to do:
- Double-bag the body using thick plastic bags to prevent leaks.
- Move the bird with a shovel instead of direct contact.
- Disinfect any surfaces the body touched thoroughly.
- Call your local department of natural resources for disposal guidance.
In some cases, these departments collect reports on deaths of large native birds to monitor population health. They may ask you not to dispose of the body so it can be picked up for testing.
Steps if the Bird Seems to Have Died from Disease
Any dead bird that shows signs of lesions, swelling, discharge or excessive maggots may have died from contagious disease like avian influenza or botulism. Take extra precautions:
- Do not handle the body directly. Use a shovel to move it.
- Double-bag the carcass in sealed plastic bags.
- Spray the bags with disinfectant solution before disposal.
- Call your state wildlife agency to report the diseased body.
- Disinfect shoes, tools and surfaces thoroughly after disposal.
Reporting diseased animal remains allows tracking of potential wildlife outbreaks. Just be sure to properly protect yourself when handling the affected body.
Call Authorities for Multiple Deaths
Finding more than one dead bird at the same location may indicate a dangerous contamination situation. Call your state wildlife agency immediately if you encounter multiple deceased birds. Some situations that require reporting include:
- Five or more dead birds around your home or property
- Multiple dead waterbirds around a lake, pond or beach
- Any concentration of 3-4 dead birds in the same area
Don’t touch or dispose of the bodies in a multi-death situation. Cordon off the area and call authorities to report the deaths. Swift investigation and action is needed to contain potential avian flu or chemical spills.
Birds That Died from Collisions
Birds that clearly died from a window strike or car collision do not pose the same contagion risks. Look for evidence like a broken neck or obvious wounds. Still use care in handling these remains, but normal backyard burial or trash disposal is fine. Collecting the body may be worthwhile if the species is rare or unusual to aid researchers in recording occurrences. But always call authorities immediately about multiple collision deaths in one area.
Conclusion
Finding deceased birds is often upsetting, but responsible handling limits health and contamination risks. By correctly disposing of bodies, reporting bands, and notifying authorities when needed, you can do your part for bird conservation while protecting human health. With proper precautions, a sad discovery can at least aid in wildlife research and disease prevention.