Richmond's Exploding Bird Mystery Points to Small Weapon Trauma, Not Power Lines
- More than 50 birds have been found dead after landing on a stretch of power lines in a Richmond, California neighborhood since February 2025.
- While residents initially suspected electrocution as the cause of the bird deaths, assessments conducted by PG&E in collaboration with wildlife officials found no signs of electrocution and attributed the fatalities to physical trauma instead.
- Residents reported hearing a loud pop like a firecracker or BB gun, and security camera footage showed birds quickly falling lifeless after such sounds near the power lines.
- PG&E stated the cause likely involves a human using a pellet gun, BB gun, or slingshot, while neighbors call for further inspection and law enforcement investigation to prevent further deaths.
- The incident has alarmed residents who describe witnessing violent bird deaths as traumatic and worry the situation could pose fire risks as the dry season approaches.
35 Articles
35 Articles
'Really violent': 'Exploding' bird deaths plague Bay Area town
In Richmond, California, there have been increasing reports of dead birds found with injuries — including some that reportedly exploded in mid-air.The Guardian reported Wednesday that Richmond residents have seen roughly 50 questionable bird deaths in recent months, which began after security camera footage captured a bird falling off of a power line after a loud popping sound was heard. Utility company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) gathered two…
Birds Keep Exploding, 'Horrifying' A California Neighborhood, And No One Knows Why
Birds-flying-in-the-shape-of-v-formation More than 50 birds have been found dead recently in a neighborhood of Richmond, California. As if that isn’t bad enough, local residents say several of the birds “exploded” in mid-air. One local resident, Sharon Anderson, has called the situation in her neighborhood “horrifying.” “So when they land and it happens, they just quickly explode and it’s really violent,” Richmond resident Maximillian Bolling to…
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