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.
The muscles in the legs and feet of dead birds will be stiff while birds that are just stunned will still have relaxed muscles in their feet and legs. Check the eyes. If you can see no blinking or movement in the bird's eyes, then it is probably dead. Dead birds will also have their eyes closed.
Being thin and light, a small bird decomposes into an unrecognizable blob in about a day and will disappear in three. A larger bird will take a bit longer, but a small mammal, say a rat, might continue to exist in recognizable form for a week or more.
You probably aren't used to checking avian vital signs. So, don't assume that death has occurred if you can't detect breath or pulse. Continue monitoring its condition and check again after a few minutes. After a few hours with no signs of life, it's safe to assume that the bird is dead.
If you find a sick or injured bird, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or local veterinarian to see if they are able to care for it. Make sure you call first as some clinics don't have the facilities to isolate sick birds, and can't take the risk of spreading a communicable disease among their other birds.
The following are indications that a bird may be sick or injured: The bird is quiet, dull, the eyes may be closed, and it has fluffed feathers (the bird looks “puffed up”). It may have an obvious wound, breathing problems, a drooping wing, or show lameness or an inability to stand. It does not fly away when approached.
You should avoid touching a live or dead bird or their droppings with your bare hands since there may be harmful germs present. There is no evidence that a person can get WNV from handling infected birds. WNV is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.
If you keep poultry or other captive birds, you must remove dead wild birds from any areas where you keep birds or bird supplies such as feed or bedding. Check other ways to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.
Lethargy. A sick and dying bird will show minimal movement and may also be very still with their eyes closed and a hunched-over position. Birds that may not normally be welcoming to handling may allow you to pick them up, as they're too weak to fly off or move away from you.
So when death comes, a bird's body is hidden. It's very light in mass for its size and doesn't long persist. Scavengers salvage what they can. Nutrients from the body return to the earth, enriching the soil.
When an animal dies in the home, it will naturally start to decay. As it does, it gives off organic compound odorant molecules which we detect with our olefactory sense. The odor may be slight at first, but after about three days after the death of the animal, the odor can be quite strong.
Birds that are in shock appear weak, unresponsive, fluffed up and breathe in slowly and out quickly. Place the bird in a quiet, semi-dark, warm, humid environment. Warmth is essential in getting birds through a state of shock – temperature should be between 25 and 30 degrees.
How long do birds live? Whether you want to ace this question at your next bird-themed trivia challenge or just impress someone spontaneously, here's the answer: Birds can live between four and 100 years, depending on the species.
A sudden death is often caused by an airborne toxin. Birds are susceptible to almost any fume, even if it isn't harmful to humans. Aside from obvious toxins like cleaners or pesticides, things like scented candles or even some incense can be toxic to a bird.
leave it where it is, or dispose appropriately. pass the body to the The Australian National Wildlife Collection (ANWC) for possible inclusion in their collection (see below) if the bird has a band, report the band and the circumstances in which it was found (see below).
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.
The basic advice is: It is recommended that you do not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave it in situ.
A bird that flies into a house foretells an important message. However, if the bird dies, or is white, this foretells death.
Finding the dead body
The biggest indicator for finding the bird's dead body is none other than strong smell which it emits. Odor can be used for finding dead birds in places that are difficult to imagine such as ducts, air ways and ventilators.
No rest for the feathered!
Unless they are in a state of torpor, birds tend to sleep in small snatches until startled awake either by a predatory threat, neighbor, or cold conditions. Some can even sleep with one eye open, as half of their brain is alert while the other is asleep.
When a bird is suffering from ataxia, they have the inability to coordinate their voluntary muscles. They will appear clumsy and will stand with their legs splayed apart for balance or they may use their beak as a hook on the side of their cage to stay balanced.
Do not try to force feed or give water to the bird. Take the bird outside and open the box every fifteen minutues to see if it is able to fly away. If it is still staying put after a few hours, you can try to find a local wildlife rehabilitator. Click here to locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator by county.