What To Do If You Find Dead Birds on Your Property (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Finding a dead bird—or several—around your home can be unsettling. Whether it's beneath a feeder, along a fence line, or scattered throughout your yard, a bird die-off isn’t something to ignore. Birds play a major role in Ohio’s ecosystem, and sudden or unusual mortality events can signal larger environmental concerns, disease outbreaks, or poisoning issues that the state needs to track.

If you come across dead birds on your property, here’s what you should do—and just as importantly, what you shouldn’tdo.

1. Stop and Assess the Situation—Without Touching Anything

Your first instinct might be to grab gloves or a shovel and clean things up. Resist that urge.

Dead birds can carry pathogens such as avian influenza, West Nile virus, or parasites. Even if the birds appear intact, decomposition and bacterial growth can start quickly, and disturbing them increases the risk of exposure to harmful agents.

Instead:

• Take note of how many birds you see.

• Observe their condition (e.g., scattered, grouped together, near feeders, near windows).

• Look for any obvious hazards nearby—chemicals, windows, feeders, or predators.

This quick, hands-off assessment will be important for the next step.

2. Report the Mortality Event to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

Ohio regularly monitors wildlife mortality events to detect disease trends, toxin exposure, and environmental changes. When bird die-offs happen, even on private property, reporting them helps ODNR track patterns and take action before issues spread to other wildlife, pets, livestock, or humans.

You should contact ODNR if:

• You find one or more dead raptors (hawks, owls, eagles).

• You find three or more dead songbirds of any species.

• You find multiple dead waterfowl, pigeons, or doves.

• You find any birds showing signs of illness before dying (confusion, tremors, difficulty standing or flying).

In many cases, ODNR may request photos, a brief description, or the location so they can determine whether sampling or retrieval is needed.

Why this matters:
ODNR uses these reports to identify outbreaks—especially avian influenza and West Nile virus—before they escalate. Your report genuinely helps protect local wildlife and public health.

3. Do NOT Attempt to Dispose of the Birds Yourself

This is where many homeowners accidentally put themselves at risk.

Even with gloves or a bag, improper handling, transportation, or disposal of dead birds can expose you to viruses or bacteria. Some pathogens can aerosolize, meaning you can inhale them without direct contact. Others can survive on surfaces or clothing.

Additionally, if the birds are part of an official mortality investigation, disturbing them could interfere with ODNR’s ability to determine the cause of death.

Instead of handling them:

• Keep pets and children away from the area.

• If possible, block access to the location until a professional arrives.

Your safest move is to wait for guidance from ODNR or call a wildlife professional who is trained to handle and dispose of the birds properly.

4. Contact a Wildlife Professional for Safe Removal and Cleanup

Whether ODNR needs the birds collected or simply recorded, you should not be the one to clean up the scene. Wildlife professionals—like Huntsman Wildlife—have the equipment, training, and PPE required to safely handle, transport, and sanitize areas affected by wildlife mortality.

A certified professional will:

• Safely collect and contain the remains

• Follow state-approved disposal procedures

• Clean and disinfect the affected areas

• Identify potential causes (window strikes, predation, toxins, feed contamination, etc.)

• Recommend steps to reduce future risks

This avoids potential exposure and ensures nothing is overlooked, especially if there are underlying environmental issues contributing to the mortality.

5. Identify Possible Causes—But Leave Investigation to Experts

Bird die-offs can stem from:

• Window collisions

• Starvation or dehydration

• Household toxins

• Predators

• Viral or bacterial infections

• Contaminated feeding stations

• Weather-related stress

• Human activity (construction, chemicals, yard treatments)

Homeowners often jump to conclusions, but without proper training, it's easy to misinterpret the situation. Professionals know what signs to look for and can guide you on next steps.

For example, if the birds died from disease, you may need to temporarily remove feeders and clean surfaces. If the cause was a window strike, simple deterrents or decals may prevent future collisions. If poisoning or chemical exposure is suspected, ODNR will take the lead.

6. Keep Feeding Areas Clean and Reduce Hazards

After removal and cleanup, take some simple steps to reduce future incidents:

• Regularly clean bird feeders and baths with a diluted bleach solution.

• Replace old or wet seed to avoid mold.

• Move feeders away from large reflective windows.

• Keep yard chemicals secured and used according to label directions.

• Reduce standing water where mosquitoes could breed.

These small actions can help keep your local bird population healthy and thriving.

Final Thoughts

Finding dead birds on your property is more than just an unpleasant surprise—it’s a moment where your actions can impact wildlife health across Ohio. The most important things you can do are simple:

Don’t touch the birds.
Report the incident to ODNR.
Contact a professional for safe removal and cleanup.

If you need help identifying what happened or need the birds removed safely, Huntsman Wildlife is here to assist. Our team ensures your property stays safe, sanitary, and protected—while supporting Ohio’s ongoing wildlife health monitoring efforts.