Pet health care organisation investigates mystery bird deaths

Friday, 12 March 2010 20:07

The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the mysterious deaths of around 75 starlings in Somerset.

Apparently the flock of birds simply fell out of the sky into one woman's garden, some dead already, others dying.

Officials at the pet health care foundation says they are scratching their heads over the cause but suspects that perhaps the starlings were frightened to death or crash landed trying to evade a predator like an eagle or a sparrow hawk.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Alison Sparkes said that the birds did not appear to be unhealthy.

"It was a remarkable sight and I've never seen anything like it before," she added.

According to the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 - and subsequent amendments - it is an offence to disturb the nest of a wild bird or to take any eggs from it.

The RSPCA recommends that should a passer-by find a fledgling - feathered - bird on the ground outside its nest, he or she should leave it alone.

However, if it is a baby bird the passer-by should alert a vet although he or she should never attempt to return the baby bird to the nest.

Animal Friends Insurance Services are an ethical pet insurance company. We have been supporting animal welfare charities around the world since 1999 by donating all net profits to their causes.

Posted by Angela