Finding dead birds in your yard can be alarming and concerning. However, there are usually natural explanations for this occurrence. In this article, we will explore some of the most common reasons why you may be finding deceased birds on your property.
Common Causes of Bird Deaths in Yards
Here are some of the most frequent causes of bird deaths that result in discoveries of deceased avians in yards and gardens:
Window Collisions
One very common reason for bird carcasses in your yard is from window collisions. Windows reflect trees, skies, and other inviting habitats that birds want to fly into. Additionally, clear windows are invisible barriers that birds do not see. Estimates range from 100 million to 1 billion birds per year in the U.S. alone that die from striking windows. Be on the lookout under windows and near doors for evidence of window collisions.
Predation
Predators catch birds but cannot consume the entire body right away. Often, cats or birds of prey will leave leftovers from their meals scattered in yards where they killed their prey. Look for signs of dismemberment or plucked feathers to determine probable predation. Keep pets indoors to help avoid needless bird deaths.
Flying Into Fixed Objects
Birds have very poor night vision and limited maneuverability in flight. As a result, they can crash into fixed objects while flying at night such as trees, walls, wind turbines, cell phone towers, and more. These deadly collisions often leave bird remains directly below the site of impact.
Baby Birds Fallen From Nests
It’s common in spring to find baby birds on the ground that have fallen from nests before they are able to fly. Young nestlings rarely survive such traumatic plummets. Keep dogs and cats away so they don’t disturb nests and cause premature fledging. You can try returning uninjured chicks to nests.
Poisoning
Ingestion of pesticides, insecticides, chemicals, or rodent poison can be lethal to birds. The toxins often kill birds before they can fly far, resulting in deceased birds in close proximity to poison sources. Use bird-safe products in your garden and properly contain and dispose of hazardous materials.
Flying Into Buildings
At night, or during the day in foggy conditions, birds can become disoriented and crash into buildings or structures. These unfortunate accidents leave bird remains centered on building sites. Turn off unnecessary lights at night to help prevent fatal bird collisions.
Electrocution
Power lines and transformers can deliver deadly electrical shocks to birds that land on live wires. You may find electrocuted birds directly below utility poles and lines, or near electrical equipment boxes. Cover lines, install prevention devices, and keep feeders away from wiring to protect birds.
Car Collisions
Birds crossing roads and highways at the wrong moment become victims of vehicle impacts. Drivers likely will not stop to move bird remains from the road, leaving them flattened in the street. Help migrating and local birds by reducing speed limits on dangerous stretches of roadway.
Territory Fights
Some birds, including hummingbirds and bluebirds, can get into intense territorial battles over nesting sites and feeding grounds. Physical altercations sometimes turn deadly, resulting in the demise of one of the combatants. You may find losers of such fights deceased below or near prime habitation locations.
Hot Weather and Dehydration
Birds succumb rapidly to overheating and lack of water in extremely hot, dry weather. Their small bodies cannot handle high temperatures for long. You may find deceased birds below empty bird baths, feeders, and planted areas during heat waves and drought conditions. Keep ample water available in hot months.
Disease
Sick birds often die quickly and can travel only short distances before succumbing to illness. Communicable diseases spread through bird populations result in multiple carcasses in the same vicinity. Use feeders designed to minimize contamination and clean them regularly to prevent disease transmission.
Steps to Take if You Find Dead Birds in Your Yard
If you repeatedly find deceased birds in your yard, consider taking the following steps:
Identify Cause of Death
Examine the condition of the bird’s body and surroundings to determine a likely cause of death. Use the common causes described above to help form a reasonable hypothesis for what happened to the bird based on evidence.
Remove Food Sources
Eliminate outdoor food and water sources that could attract more birds to a deadly location. For example, if a window is killing birds, move feeders and bird baths away from the glass until you can treat it to prevent collisions.
Exclude Predators
Keep pet cats indoors and install physical barriers to prevent access by predatory animals. Motion-activated sprinklers and fences can help deter prowling predators that may be killing visiting birds.
Modify Landscaping
Identify unintentional bird traps in your landscaping and alter or eliminate these threats. For instance, remove upward aimed exterior lighting, plant only bird-friendly vegetation, and replace reflective surfaces with patterns.
Install Deterrents
Use deterrents designed specifically to protect birds such as anti-collision window decals, roosting discouragers, physical barriers, and anti-perching spikes. Position and install them according to manufacturer guidelines.
Clean Up Feeders
To prevent disease transmission, disinfect feeders and baths at least once per week in a 10% bleach solution. Rake up accumulated seed hulls, shells, and droppings to eliminate infectious agents.
Report Issues
Notify appropriate authorities if dead birds may indicate larger safety or health issues. For example, alert the USDA about a mass die-off event, or contact animal control about a problematic predator in the neighborhood.
Dispose of Carcasses
Wearing gloves, use a trowel or shovel to scoop up bird bodies, place them in a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose with household trash. Always wash hands thoroughly after handling dead birds.
Preventive Measures to Deter Bird Deaths in Your Yard
You can take various preventive measures to help minimize bird casualties on your property:
Install Collusion Deterrents on Windows
Apply special decals, screens, shutters, or exterior films designed to make clear glass visible to birds. Place them on windows, glass doors, and other transparent surfaces prone to strikes.
Alter Lighting
Choose well-shielded, downward facing outdoor lighting fixtures with motion sensors and automatic shutoffs to reduce nighttime glare and disorientation. Turn lights off whenever possible.
Keep Pets Indoors
Cats are responsible for billions of bird deaths annually. Birds cannot recognize felines as lethal predators. Keeping cats inside prevents needless bird killings.
Use Chemicals Sparingly
Follow directions carefully when using pesticides and hazardous chemicals so excess toxins do not end up where birds can ingest them. Seek natural alternatives when possible.
Minimize Reflective Surfaces
Apply window tinting, exterior screens, shutters, curtains, or decals to minimize reflections that birds mistake for open sky or inviting habitat. Modify glass sided structures with patterns.
Remove Bird Feeders and Baths
Eliminate outdoor feeding if it is attracting birds to a deadly area. Move baths and feeders at least 30 feet from house walls and windows for safety.
Clean Feeders Weekly
To stop disease transmission, thoroughly scrub feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution weekly. Rake up accumulated birdseed hulls and shells frequently.
Install Physical Barriers
Use plastic mesh netting, wire screens, dense hedges and vegetation to create physical separation between bird areas and threats like windows, predators, and buildings.
Inspect Problematic Sites
Monitor locations where you find multiple dead birds for ongoing risks. Make adjustments until you find a permanent solution that deters mortalities.
Promote Awareness
Advise neighbors, local businesses, and officials about bird collision and mortality risks so your local community can take cooperative action to protect birds.
Conclusion
Though finding deceased birds in your yard can certainly be troubling, there are constructive steps you can take to identify why it is happening and how to prevent additional deaths. Eliminate hazards whenever possible and promote awareness so others will do the same. With extra care and diligence, our yards and gardens can become safer places for beautiful birds to visit and thrive.