Birds, beautiful birds with such natural grace and brilliance, are all around us, yet how often do you see a dead bird? Hardly ever. Why is this? That's a question that I've always wondered about. The truth is, that when birds feel weak or suffer from illness or injury, they make seek refuge in a safe, secluded place in which to gather strength and recover. Sometimes that place is on the ground, under dense cover. Other times it is perched deep in the shelter of thick foliage, hidden from potential predators. So, when death comes, the body of the bird is hidden. It becomes light in mass for its size and doesn't last long. Scavengers take what they can in short order. Nutrients from the body return to the earth, enriching the soil. Small animals may consume the bones which are a rich source of calcium.
In a short time, all that's left of the bird are its feathers. These are reminders of the grace and beauty of one of earth's most beautiful creatures. This is all part of the life cycle, and in death, the bird returns to the earth to help replenish it. Finally, I have my answer to what I have wondered for so long. Where do birds go to die?
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