Bizarre Explosions of Flying Birds in California

On May 17, multiple aerial disintegrations of birds occurred in Richmond, California, when 53 birds (including black orioles and starlings) suddenly burst in flight, scattering body parts across the street. Initial investigations ruled out electrocution, but found electrolyte abnormalities and overpressure damage to alveolar tissue in the birds, suggesting a possible link to chemical contamination near an industrial area. Chemical plants and high-voltage transmission facilities are located within a 3-kilometre radius of the incident site, and results of toxicology tests are still pending.