Death is a rite of passage for all animals, including birds. It is noticeable that animals can die with their eyes open, depending on the cause of death. But do birds die with their eyes open?

Yes, some birds die with their eyes open. This happens due to the relaxation of muscles at the time of death, which causes the eyes to remain open. Furthermore, the lack of tension in the muscles around the eye can cause the eyeballs to roll back or to the side at the time of death.

Also, the position of your parakeet determines the nature of its eyes as it dies. When your bird lies down while straining, it will likely die with its eyes open since the muscles have already relaxed. However, when a bird dies with its eyes open, it may confuse you about whether it is stunned or dead.

Therefore, it is vital to check your bird’s heartbeat to conclude whether it is dead. Avoid rushing to the decision of its death, as sometimes it may only be experiencing a stroke or heart disease. Nevertheless, if you find it dead already, consider closing its eyes with your hands before burying it to avoid the infestation of predators in your home.

What Causes Birds to Die with Their Eyes Open?

Below are seven possible causes of death in birds with their eyes open:

1. Toxic Fumes

Toxic fumes from oil-based paintings, heated non-stick containers, incense, perfumes, or scented candles can affect their respiratory system, causing a blockage that leads to sudden death. Birds are very susceptible to air pollution. They may develop severe respiratory problems, if not sudden death.

2. Paralysis

Paralysis is a severe condition in birds that makes them lose mobility in their neck, wings, and feet. Also, paralysis is typically caused by tumors or strokes, especially when these diseases are not well treated. This causes birds to die with their eyes open since their muscles cannot even contract for closure.

3. Temperature Fluctuations

Temperature fluctuations are one of the biggest threats to birds. Birds can die at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius due to the development of fever, chest problems, or even pneumonia. Also, overheating is a problem as it causes hyperthermia, which causes sudden death in birds due to dehydration and other body changes.  

4. Chronic Illness

Birds can sometimes develop an illness that tends to become chronic with time, especially with less care and treatment. Chronic disease leads to a lack of appetite in birds, resulting in reduced metabolism. Also, this illness damages essential body organs like the kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, and bile ducts, leading to improper functioning of the body system and death.

5. Night Fright

Birds can be scared sometimes, especially during the night. Birds get frightened by the invasion of predators, nightmares, and loud bangs that lead to heart attacks and sudden death. It is essential to ensure your birds are well covered at night to keep them warm and keep off predators, such as cats.

6. Suffocation

Birds usually suffocate when they lack enough oxygen to breathe. This leads to death since their bodies need oxygen for proper functioning. Similarly, suffocation can be caused by respiratory system inflammation, mainly driven by viral infection.

7. Severe Injuries

Some injuries are profound and untreatable, making your bird endure much pain. Once your bird is injured, it becomes stressed, loses its appetite and quality of life, and dies. However, an avian veterinarian can administer some medication to relieve the pain.

What Are the Signs of a Bird Dying?

Before a bird dies, you will be able to notice some of these 14 signs:

1. Lack of appetite.

2. Breathing difficulties.

3. Fluffy feathers.

4. Crusty eyes, mouth, and nasal discharge.

5. Dull eyes.

6. Irregular sleeping pattern.

7. Shivering.

8. Blood in the feces.

9. Swollen body parts, including the eyes, feet, and stomach.

10. Lack of movement.

11. Less vocalization.

12. Skin color changes to black, green, or orange.

13. Lethargy.

14. Weight loss.

How Do You Tell If a Bird Is Unconscious or Dead?

If you find a bird lying, you may wonder if it is unconscious or dead, making you curious to check for life. Therefore, here are three tips to help you know if it is dead or lifeless:

1. Body Movement

A dead bird will not move its body due to the relaxation of all its muscles. If a bird is unconscious, you will notice its legs moving and its eyes shaking. Conduct first aid to help your bird recover, especially when it is unconscious.

2. Check Your Bird’s Heartbeat

You will need to use a stethoscope to check for the presence of the heartbeat. Under normal circumstances, the average heart rate is 280 beats per minute, which can decrease if your bird is unconscious. On the other hand, if a bird is dead, there will be no heartbeats at all.

3. Examine the Breathing of Your Bird

Examining the breathing signs of your bird is very simple. Check whether the chest is moving up and down or not. If you see chest movements, your bird is still breathing, though unconscious. If it is dead, the chest will be in the standard position with zero movements.

Do Birds Know When They Are Dying?

Yes, birds know when they are dying, mainly when natural occurrences like old age trigger them. The bird will spend a few times with their mates and owners before it separates itself from them to die. This is their way of saying goodbye to their loved ones.

How Do Birds Die of Old Age?

Birds that die of old age experience a slower metabolic rate, a weakened immune system, reduced body activities, and a loss of appetite. In addition, they always have old-age diseases that make them experience breathing difficulties, leading to death. Depending on their position when dying, you will find them dead in their cage with their eyes open or closed.

Why Do You Never See Dead Birds?

It is sporadic to see dead birds because predators always eat them up. Foxes, red kites, fly maggots, and bacteria help clean up the environment by feasting on the debris. In the case of pet birds, their owners usually bury their dead birds to prevent attracting predators to their households.

Do Birds Go to Heaven When They Die?

Birds go to heaven as they are used as a spiritual symbol, especially for religious believers. After a bird dies, it is buried, and people believe its soul goes to heaven.

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