Finding a dead bird can be an upsetting experience. Cardinals are beautiful songbirds, and it’s always sad to see one deceased. However, there are a few things you should do if you find a dead cardinal in your yard or neighborhood.
Move the Cardinal Out of Harm’s Way
The first thing to do upon finding a dead cardinal is to move it out of an area where it could get further damaged or disturbed. Gently pick up the bird with gloves or a plastic bag over your hands and move it to a more secluded spot in your yard.
You’ll want to move the bird away from areas where other animals could disturb or consume it. That includes keeping it away from busy streets or sidewalks where it could get run over and places where dogs, cats or wildlife are likely to find it.
Moving the bird to a gently sloping location under a bush or tree is ideal. That keeps the deceased bird in a natural setting but protects it from being tampered with or further damaged.
Check for External Damage or Wounds
Once you’ve moved the bird to a secure location, do a visual inspection of its body. Look for any signs of blood, wounds, or external damage. Try to determine if the bird looks otherwise healthy versus emaciated or ill.
Signs of blood, wounds, or impact trauma may indicate the cardinal collided with a window or structure. Damage to the beak, feet, or wings may also point to impact or a tussle with a predator.
An emaciated appearance, puffed-up feathers, or otherwise ill appearance could mean natural causes like disease claimed the bird. Make notes of anything you see, as this can help determine why the bird died.
Contact Local Wildlife Authorities
In most cases you’ll want to contact wildlife authorities about the deceased bird. Call your local department of natural resources, animal control department, nature center, or wildlife rehabilitation center.
Many areas have procedures in place for reporting dead birds, especially related to infectious disease monitoring. Calling also allows collection of the bird for data purposes.
Having an accurate record of bird deaths helps track trends in the population and identify risks. Your information provides valuable data to help conservation efforts.
Can You Safely Dispose of a Dead Cardinal Yourself?
In some cases, you may be able to safely dispose of a dead bird yourself. Here are some key considerations when deciding if self-disposal is appropriate:
- Contacted authorities and given disposal approval
- No signs of infectious disease present
- Have an appropriate location on your property
- Can properly bury or discard remains
Check local guidelines, as some areas prohibit taking wildlife into your own hands even after reporting. If allowed, dig a hole 1-2 feet deep in a secluded spot to bury the bird. You can also double bag the body and place it securely in the trash if burial isn’t feasible.
Avoid Direct Contact with Dead Birds
Use caution when handling deceased birds. Birds can carry parasites, bacteria, and viruses even after death. Salmonella and avian influenza are examples of infectious diseases birds can transmit.
Wear disposable gloves if you have to move or touch the bird. Double bagging remains in sealed plastic bags adds further protection. Wash your hands immediately after with soap and warm water after handling.
Avoid touching your face while handling the bird. Dispose of gloves properly in the trash, and scrub any surfaces or tools that contacted the bird.
Factors that Cause Cardinal Fatalities
What leads to cardinals and other songbirds meeting an untimely end? Here are some of the most common causes of death:
Window Collisions
One of the biggest risks to all birds is striking windows and other reflective surfaces. An estimated 800 million birds die colliding with buildings, houses, and other structures annually in the U.S. alone according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Type | Estimated Annual Bird Deaths (U.S.) |
---|---|
Buildings | 575 million |
Power lines | 175 million |
Communication Towers | 7.3 million |
Wind turbines | 234,000 |
Fossil fuel plants | 14.5 million |
Cars | 200 million |
Birds don’t see glass and often cannot distinguish the reflection of sky, clouds, and trees. To them, a window looks like a clear flight path. The resulting collision is frequently lethal.
Predators
Cardinals face predation from a wide range of natural predators. Hawks, falcons, and owls frequently prey on songbirds. Snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and domestic cats also kill adult birds and raid nests for eggs and hatchlings.
Much of this predation is natural, but domestic cats amplify the risk, killing an estimated 1.3 to 4 billion birds each year in the U.S. according to Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute research.
Vehicle Strikes
Roads and vehicular traffic pose another sizable hazard. An estimated 200 million birds die annually in the U.S. after being struck by cars, trucks, and other vehicles as per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates.
Like windows, birds struggling to cross roads often misjudge speed and traffic patterns. Nighttime collisions are also common as birds become disoriented by artificial lights.
Habitat Loss
Cardinals rely on forest, woodland, and suburban wooded habitats. Reforestation, development, and urbanization can deplete suitable habitats and key resources like nesting sites, food, and cover.
Habitat pressure leads to crowding, resource scarcity, increased predation, and fatal competition between birds. Habitat loss ultimately results in weakened, undernourished birds less able to thrive.
Poisoning
Ingesting pesticides, rodenticides, contaminated seeds, and toxic chemicals leads to poisoning deaths for many birds. According to the American Bird Conservancy, as many as 72 million birds die from pesticide poisoning annually.
Domestic pest and rodent control products are a big risk. Chemical treatments used on lawns, gardens, golf courses, and agricultural lands also deliver toxic exposure.
Electrocution
Power lines and other electrical equipment kill tens of millions of birds per year. Electrocution happens when birds contact two energized parts or an energized wire and grounded surface simultaneously.
Wet feathers dramatically amplify electrocution risk. Danger peaks in bad weather when birds seek shelter on electrical equipment. Proper insulation and placement can reduce electrocution hazards.
Climate Change
Shifting seasons, weather extremes, drought, wildfires, flooding, and other climate change effects are also impacting bird health and mortality. The National Audubon Society states that two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Disrupted migration patterns, reproduction, and food availability are some of the challenges facing birds thanks to climate shifts. More severe storms and droughts will likely amplify risks further.
Disease
Sick and weakened birds are more vulnerable to all mortality factors. Cardinals and other songbirds suffer from parasitic, bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases just like humans and other wildlife.
Diseases that can kill cardinals include:
- Avian pox
- Aspergillosis
- West Nile Virus
- Salmonella
- Avian influenza
- Trichomoniasis
Finding dead cardinals prompts disease monitoring because it may indicate an outbreak in the local bird population.
Can You Legally Own a Cardinal if You Find One Dead?
In most areas, it is illegal to possess any part of a native wild bird, even if you find it deceased. There are a few exceptions in some states for Native American religious use or scientific specimen collection.
However in general, you cannot legally keep a dead cardinal or other bird due to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The law protects more than 1,000 bird species, with violations carrying fines up to $15,000 and jail time.
Certain exceptions allow Native Americans to obtain permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for religious use of birds like cardinals. Universities and scientific institutions may also get permits allowing collection and possession for research.
If you’d like to reuse taxidermied parts of a bird legally, stick to non-native species. Avoid any protected migratory birds like cardinals even if discovered dead.
Can You Rehabilitate an Injured Cardinal?
It’s natural to want to help an injured cardinal, but a few rules apply. In the U.S., you should not attempt to capture, contain, or treat an injured migratory bird yourself without permits. That includes common cardinals.
However, you can take a few steps:
- Call local wildlife rehabilitators for guidance on your specific situation and next steps.
- Carefully contain the bird following their instructions if capture is recommended.
- Use a box/carrier with air holes and a secure lid.
- Avoid handling the bird and further stressing it.
- Keep the bird in a warm, quiet space while transporting.
- Get the injured bird qualified care as soon as possible.
With guidance, caring for an injured cardinal briefly to transfer it to rehabilitators can be allowed. But avoid take-home rehabilitation attempts, however well-intentioned.
Preventing Cardinal Deaths
While some amount of bird deaths are inevitable, there are ways we can help reduce risks to cardinals and other songbirds in yards and neighborhoods:
- Install bird-deterrent window films/decals
- Position bird feeders/baths appropriately
- Include safe cover and nesting spots
- Avoid pesticide overuse
- Keep cats indoors
- Use bird-friendly outdoor lighting
- Participate in conservation initiatives
Getting involved with local conservation groups and national efforts like the National Audubon Society can also move the needle on improving bird habitat and resources.
Processing Your Feelings About Dead Cardinals
When we encounter dead birds, it’s normal to feel sadness, grief, or even guilt. Here are some tips for constructively processing these emotions:
- Memorialize deceased birds by journaling, drawing, planting flowers, etc.
- Channel energy into prevention methods for birds
- Participate in mourning rituals or memorial events
- Join death cafes or bereavement groups to discuss experiences
- Consider working with counseling if grief persists
- Know what you could/couldn’t control helps acceptance
- Take comfort in contributing data to conservation
Learning about bird lifecycles and death rates in nature can also bring perspective when sad events occur. Remember most backyard bird deaths are natural, not because of your actions.
Conclusion
Finding deceased wildlife like a cardinal elicits difficult emotions, but following reporting procedures provides valuable data. Gently removing the body prevents disturbance, while contacting local authorities allows collection for research purposes in many areas.
Bird deaths from collisions, predators, vehicles, and other hazards occur year-round, but that reinforces the importance of conservation. Follow disposal guidelines in your region, taking precautions against disease risks. With proper handling, you can ensure the bird leaves the ecosystem safely while doing your part to protect birds.