Town horrified by mystery of ‘exploding’ birds found dead in their gardens

From bird poo making a mess of clean cars and cawing waking people up in the early hours, there will always be times where birds cause a bit of a nuisance.

But residents in a neighbourhood of Richmond, California have been left horrified after several birds have been found dead in their gardens.

Even worse, not only are the birds dying, but it appears they could even be ‘exploding’ before falling to their deaths.

Maximillian Bolling and his neighbours have counted at least 13 birds who have met a violent and so far unexplained end – but some residents estimate more than 50 birds have died in this way.

He told US television station KGO-TV the birds seem to be dying after perching on a specific part of a power line, adding ‘when they land and it happens, they just quickly explode and it’s really violent’.

Doorbell video footage appeared to catch one of the bird deaths in action. The audio recorded a loud ‘pop’ before a bird was seen falling lifeless to the ground as passersby gasp at the sight.

Some residents estimate more than 50 birds have died in this way (Picture: KGO-TV)

Locals likened the ‘pop’ sound to the sound of a BB gun or firecracker going off.

Mark Hoehner, who saw one of the incidents a few months ago, said: ‘It sounded like a firecracker, and a black bird – a starling – just plummeted to the ground.

‘I’ve been under the birds when it happens, and I know where the sound is coming from. It’s coming from up on the pole.’

The violent circumstances have led residents to assume the power lines were in some way responsible for the bird deaths – but the California Department of Fish & Wildlife has examined two bird corpses and found no evidence of electrocution, it’s been claimed.

The Pacific Gas & Electric Company, which provides power to residents and businesses in the area, insist their pole and power lines are ‘compliant’ with bird safety standards.

Some are pointing the finger at this stretch of power line (Picture: KGO-TV)

A spokesperson said: ‘We appreciate the concern of our customers in Richmond about the recent series of bird deaths.

‘We have asked the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to evaluate several of the bird corpses.

‘They have shared that the birds show no evidence of electrocution, and that their deaths were caused by trauma, potentially from a pellet or BB gun or a slingshot.

‘PG&E does not believe that there was an issue with our electrical equipment and agrees that these birds were not electrocuted.

‘Neighbors have asked the Contra County Sheriff’s Office to look into this situation.

‘The pole at issue is compliant with avian safe standards, as established by the Avian Powerline Interaction Committee.’

The birds’ lifeless bodies are plummeting to the ground (Picture: KGO-TV)

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: ‘On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at about 5:00 pm, Contra Costa deputy sheriffs were dispatched to the 6100 block of Bernhard Avenue in unincorporated Richmond for a report of a suspicious circumstance.

‘A resident reported multiple birds were possibly electrocuted when they landed on a power line.

‘A report was made and PG&E was requested to respond to the location to inspect the powerlines.’

Regardless of the cause, residents want action to be taken to avoid the needless deaths of more birds in future.

They’ve been posting signs on poles issuing warnings about the danger, and asking neighbours to document any further bird deaths they may witness.

‘We just want it solved at the end of the day,’ Maximillian added.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.