Why is it that when a bird dies, that it is often found lying on its back with its feet upward?

Question

It's sad- if it weren't so sad, it might be a bit comical. But tragically, my girlfriend has lost a few of her pets to wild animal attacks. Her Turkey was attacked about two weeks ago during the night, and she was found dead and lying on her back. Apparently, this has also happened to some of her chickens, as well. Why do birds assume this position when they perish?

Answer 1

Because it is hard to stand up when you are dead.

Answer 2

They don't always, as my cat's victims are often found on their sides, but it's a well-known phenomenon in chickens, who die of something colloquially know as flip-over disease for this very reason. It's normally found in the heavy modern hybrid meat birds, as they put on weight faster than their systems can cope with, resulting in sudden cardiac failure.

In your case, with birds dying from injuries, I would hazard a guess that it's simply because the back is heavier, and having lost their poise and balance they naturally roll over with the heaviest part on the bottom. It's often the case with old birds who literally fall off the perch. Gravity does the rest.

Answer 3

All the weight is in the back of the bird's body and it has a more naturally flat surface considering the wings relax a bit. Lastly consider the bid probably flops a bit in it's final death throws it most likely ends up on it's back as it kicks it's feet and is unable to right itself. In the end it succumbs to the cold dark fingers of death and goes into the light.

Answer 4

Generally its cause by Rigamortis. The setting of the muscles after death. When a bird goes into rig... they will become essentially body heavy and fall to the ground. There legs being the least heavy will flip to the top. A bird that is sick will become disoriented and will sometimes fall to the side and can not get back up therefore all the fluids and blood will converge in the back and stomach and make them heavy in that area. When they die it kinda turns them into one of those kids punching balloons that never fall down. I know that sounds weird but thats the natural course of things. Its often why you see birds that die on there backs.

Answer 5

Its not necessary for a bird to lie on its back and feet upward. It can also face sidewards with its feet sidewards. The neck is attacked by and animal which leaves the animal on its back.

Answer 6

Of three chickens I've found dead, two have been on their sides and one sat down but slumped if you see what I mean. One of the ones that was found on her side was killed by a fox.

Answer 7

Birds are top heavy, when they fall from the tree or die in flight they're bound to land heavy-half down.

Answer 8

Becuase it's back and head are so heavy that when it falls off a perch or whatever it falls right to that position.

Answer 9

The heavy weight goes to the bottom

Answer 10

Dead weight. They usually fall over because their feet are too small...