A perplexing situation has arisen in Richmond, a community in Northern California, where residents have reported a series of unusual bird deaths, described by some as “exploding” birds.

Locals have discovered numerous dead birds in their backyards, and security footage has captured the moment one bird fell from a power line following a loud noise.

On Monday, investigators shared the findings of necropsies conducted on two deceased birds—a mourning dove and a European starling.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Health Lab reported that the injuries observed were consistent with trauma from a pellet gun, BB gun, or slingshot, rather than an electrocution incident involving power lines.

However, officials noted that the precise cause of the injuries in all affected birds remains undetermined.

Richmond resident Maximillian Bolling recounted witnessing several birds dying violently upon landing on power lines, describing the events as “really violent.”

He and other residents have counted at least 13 dead birds over the past several months, prompting various theories about the causes, ranging from electrocution to speculation about a potential serial perpetrator targeting birds.

Another resident, Sharon Anderson, who identifies as an animal lover, expressed her distress over the bird deaths, stating that it has been a heartbreaking experience for the community.

Residents have voiced concerns linking the fatalities to the nearby power lines operated by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and have urged the utility to investigate further.

In response, PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian affirmed that the company’s investigation found no evidence implicating the power lines as the cause of the birds’ deaths.

The California State Department of Fish and Wildlife has initiated its own investigation into the matter as the wildlife mystery continues to unfold.