Birding/dead birds

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Expert: - 1/14/2005


Question
Im surrounded by billions of different birds,how come i never see a dead one or dying one.I know that bacteries,insects etc. do a quick job,but at least i should be ablle to watch them a litllewhile before they're gone forever.And whatabout thir feathers!I've never heard of anyone that have experienced a bird falling on their head and i could write much more.Hope you'll give me an reasonablle explanation!

Jesper Wanting,Copenhagen,Denmark

Answer
Dear Jesper; think about how many dead mammals you have seen - not that many, I bet. And how about dead humans - you are surrounded by humans as well. Birds are more fragile than mammals, though, and tend to decompose much faster than mammals.I have often seen feathers lying around however.
I bet if you go on the rooftop of buildings in a city, you can find several dead pigeons. See ornithology.com for more information on wild birds. Roger Lederer

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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