[helenol]

A few days ago I discovered a dead robin in the garden.

I just assumed it was a cat kill.

Anyway I've been thinking about this. Even though there were no apparant external injuries, just a few feathers around from the chest etc, (consistent with a cat "playing" with it), I couldn't help but notice it's eyes. They seemed to have a very dull surface, a matt black colour, if you like.

Now, if I recall correctly, when I've found a bird, the eyes always seem to be either half closed, or at least you can see the eyes, but on this robin there seemed to be just a black hole, even though they were the eyes! Difficult to explain.

Is it possible this could have been a robin kill? I know they can fight to the death, and there are (or were) 3 or 4 robins around in the garden.

Anyway, the next morning it was gone, a magpie had discovered it, I don't know whether it took it away, or whether the local sparrowhawk did.

[pauco]

Helen, your robin death could be a natural one, yes as you said
they do fight somtimes one will die as a result but that is really
a last resort. its just the way you describe the eyes it just sounds
like a death from old age, their life span is 4ish years. if you find
out any more I would be interested to know.
bert.

[helenol]

hmm...thanks bert. I would like to think it was natural causes. Another thing is, the robins in my garden are so quick and savvy, and the cat hasn't (to my knowledge) killed a bird in the garden for a hell of a long time since we put 3 bells on her! Yes, I know it happens but it seemed so unusual to see a dead robin; that, along with the eyes, was what got me thinking.

H

[pauco]

hi helen.
I went back to some old books from the early 60s. and there are a few stories of old robins returning to their old territory its
been taken by the new kid on the block, they cant defend so they
just give in and die of starvation. the feathers on the chest could
be it was found by a cat and just pulled around. but it would
explain the look of the eyes you describe. just a thought.
bert.