Dead birds? (yard, porch, female)

[swbtoo]

Are there any reports of dead birds around? Somebody mentioned a few weeks ago that bluebirds are dying of West Nile Virus...

This afternoon I found a dead cardinal by my back porch. A pair of beautiful cardinals were frequent visitors to our bird feeders over the last few weeks. This one is a female. I hope she's not one of my pair. It's a sad thing just the same.

It looks like something (the neighbor's cat, maybe) put a fang through her cheek and left a deep puncture hole. I'm speculating that she was hurt, but managed to get away and dropped in our yard. The wound didn't look fresh though, so it has me puzzled. It might not be what killed her.

Just thought I'd inquire if there's any reason to be concerned over dead birds, in case this one died of other causes.

[lamishra]

In my experience here, dead birds are usually the result of a predator or the bird flying into a window.

[swbtoo]

Originally Posted by lamishra

In my experience here, dead birds are usually the result of a predator or the bird flying into a window.

You know, Lamishra, I think you're right. It could well be a predator, a bird of prey. Some hawks dive bomb other birds. This injury looks like that. Thanks for your response.