Animal mortality is a frequent occurrence. Life in the wild is dangerous and full of hazards. But, dead animals are not often seen. Nature cleans up after itself. When animals die, the process of decomposition begins almost immediately. Scavengers waste no time locating and feeding on corpses. Evidence of death in the nature rarely lasts very long.
This deceased Northern Mockingbird was found under the bushes in my front yard. There was no sign of trauma or other indication the cause of death. A collision with a window is probably the most likely explanation, but the cause could also have been old age or illness.
As for nature cleaning up after itself—the mockingbird was gone the next morning. Not a trace of him remained.
Observation Details
| County | – | Denton |
|
| City | – | Carrollton | |
| Date | – | Oct 24, 2009 | |
| Time of Day | – | Afternoon | |
| Temperature | – | Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C) | |
| Weather | – | Clear | |
| Habitat | – | Residential-Single Family | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Death | |
| Gender | – | Uncertain | |
| Maturity | – | Adult | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson |
