A bird perches on a telephone wire near the Valero West Refinery during a fire at the facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Richmond, California – A disturbing mystery is unfolding in the Bay Area city of Richmond, where residents say birds are “exploding” mid-air and falling lifeless onto their streets and yards. Since February, people have witnessed more than 50 dead birds along Bernhard Avenue, with at least 13 confirmed incidents accompanied by unsettling popping sounds.
Home security footage has captured the gruesome moments—one video shows a bird plummeting from the sky after a loud crack, prompting locals to fear something sinister is occurring. “It’s very traumatic, super traumatic to see this,” said Richmond resident Maximilian Bolling. “When they land and it happens, they just quickly explode and it’s really violent.”
Residents have likened the sound to a firecracker or a BB gun, and some speculate that faulty power lines might be electrocuting birds mid-perch. Bolling and his neighbors believe a missing seal or insulator on a local utility pole could be the culprit. “We want this to be solved before it turns into something worse,” Bolling warned, referencing fears that faulty wiring could spark wildfires in the drier summer months.
PG&E, the region’s utility provider, confirmed it is investigating the claims. Crews have inspected the pole and reported that it complies with avian safety guidelines. In a statement, PG&E emphasized, “We appreciate the concern of our customers in Richmond about the recent series of bird deaths.”
However, PG&E also points to another, more troubling possibility: foul play. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Health Lab examined two of the birds—a mourning dove and a European starling—and determined their injuries were consistent with pellet gun trauma, not electrocution. While not conclusive, the findings have shifted attention toward the possibility of a human aggressor targeting birds with a BB gun or slingshot.
Local animal lovers and residents, including Sharon Anderson, say the idea of deliberate cruelty is just as upsetting. “It was just horrifying,” she said. “These birds aren’t just dying, they’re being attacked.”
Concerned neighbors have posted flyers urging others to report bird deaths and suspicious activity. Some have called on the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office to investigate, though the department has yet to comment.
As the community waits for answers, the unease continues to grow. Whether the cause is faulty infrastructure or intentional harm, residents agree on one thing—they want the explosions, and the deaths, to stop.
