</bird>

[scott_sanford]

I was out walking the other day on an ordinary suburban street and I heard a soft quiet thump from just behind me. Puzzled, I looked back - nothing had been there a moment ago. Once I thought to look down all was explained; there was a small bird in the grass, on its back with its legs sticking up in an overly dramatic way. As I watch it twitched several times, getting less energetic over time. The situation was pretty obvious.

This shouldn't be too surprising, given the number of birds and their short average lifespan - but we rarely see it happen right in front of us.