Mysterious Bird Deaths Plague Bay Area Street: Report

RICHMOND, CA — Mass bird deaths along a specific street in Richmond have neighbors concerned, with KGO reporting over 50 birds have fallen to the ground near a local power line.

Ring video published by the station recorded a loud popping sound as a bird flew above the lines before falling out of the air along Berhard Avenue.

"That particular wire does sizzle and arc at times," area resident Sharon Anderson said to the outlet.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office told KGO in a statement that PG&E was asked to inspect the lines, but the utility, also in a statement, told the outlet the pole in question was compliant with avian safe standards.

The state Department of Fish & Wildlife was sent two dead birds that were collected by the utility, according to KGO, which reported the agency found no signs of electrocution, with the department telling the outlet in a statement that the birds appeared to have suffered trauma injuries, possibly from a slingshot, pellet gun or BB gun. The agency is investigating, KGO reported.

"I feel like a BB gun doesn't make a firecracker noise," resident Heather Jones told the station. "This sounds exactly like a firecracker."

Read more from KGO.