Richmond, a small port city in California’s Bay Area, has become the focus of a strange and disturbing mystery: birds appear to be exploding mid-air, leaving both residents and officials puzzled.

According to ABC7 News, locals first noticed dead birds turning up several months ago. Since then, they’ve witnessed numerous birds seemingly “explode” while flying. Residents estimate over 50 birds have died in this unusual way, with at least one incident caught on a security camera.

Footage and the pattern of bird deaths have raised suspicions about a specific stretch of neighborhood powerlines. One clip reportedly shows a bird landing on a powerline, followed by a loud pop, then the bird falling to the ground.

Richmond resident Mark Hoehner experienced one of these incidents firsthand. “It sounded like a firecracker, and a black bird — a starling — just plummeted to the ground,” he told ABC7. “I’ve been under the birds when it happens, and I know where the sound is coming from. It’s coming from up on the pole.”

After receiving complaints, local police asked Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which manages the area’s power infrastructure, to investigate. PG&E responded, saying it had inspected the pole in question and found it compliant with avian-safe standards. The company also stated that it didn’t believe its equipment was causing the issue.

PG&E contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and requested a review of several dead birds. In a statement to ABC7, CDFW noted it had only received two birds for examination. After evaluation, the Wildlife Health Lab found no signs of electrocution.

“CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab staff found no signs of electrocution in the collected birds,” the agency reported. “The birds did show injuries consistent with trauma that could possibly have been caused by [a] pellet gun, BB gun, or a slingshot. CDFW also received photos of other dead birds found at the location that showed injuries consistent with trauma.”

The popping sound residents often describe might be tied to something like a BB gun, though officials haven’t ruled out other causes. “The exact cause of the trauma to all of these birds could not be determined,” CDFW added. “CDFW wildlife officers are investigating.”

One thing officials can confirm: it has nothing to do with birds eating rice.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.