where do pigeons go to die in cities?

Question

There are hundreds of thousands of pigeons cohabiting w/ humans in many cities, but one rarely sees a dead pigeon. Why is that? where do the dead bodies go?

Answer 1

Actually the same thing is true with cats in a city and large animals in the woods. Why don't you ever see them dead?

As for your question my guess is it is a combination of things. First, alot of birds visit the city to eat but nest in more rural areas where they are more apt to die. Second, many that do die are collected by building owners/managers and waste departments and disgarded quickly. Third, others that die are scavaged quickly. You're talking about numerous birds but cities are full of racoons, rats, and stray cats that will eat the dead birds they find. Fourth, and I don't have much to back this up, but growing up in midwestern farm country there was always a saying that many animals know when they are weak and about to die and they will travel to a place they didn't frequent in life to die. This is mostly attributed to cats but I've heard it referenced to other animals as well.

I think all of the above contributes to the fact that you see few dead birds in a city.

Answer 2

Like many animals while nearing loss of existence they are possibly to be too vulnerable to undertaking out finding for meals, so in all probability in simple terms die someplace sheltered away, eg, below a bush, of their nest, on precise of a roof. as quickly as ineffective, maximum in all probability immediately eaten with the aid of predators consisting of rats, or cats. in any different case they may well be observed and wiped sparkling up with the aid of a highway cleanser in the event that they do ensue to easily die unexpectedly interior the process the city centre.

Answer 3

I don't think they have a special place, they just die when their time comes. The city pays clean-up people to clean the city, so I'm sure, that's why you don't see dead ones.

Answer 4

One of them went under the wheel of my car the other day, my buddy who was driving behind me said he saw something fly off to the side of the road and he thought it was just a piece of trash...lol
Oh well, he's in a better place now...

Answer 5

This is a question answered in 'the straight dope' - extract below.

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/straightdope/critters1.html

the simple answer is that sick pigeons hide so as not to be attacked, and die in their hiding places to be eaten by insects.

Answer 6

Eaten by cats perhaps? I think they die and decompose in the bushes or trees.

Answer 7

roof tops and parks

Answer 8

in a crock pot