# Exploding Birds **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 18, 1999, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213 "1999-09-18T14:34:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 1999, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/1 "1999-09-18T14:34:00Z")
I’m referring to the question that was first published in May of 1997, about whether rice shouldn’t be thrown at weddings because birds exploded when they ate it. Cecil seems to think that’s hogwash, and I agree. I remember from my sister’s first wedding that we threw birdseed instead of rice because the church didn’t want to waste the rice when so many people in the world are hungry. That may seem a bit bleeding-heart to many, but that was the church’s policy. I can supply the name of the church if anyone wants to verify this. * * * the Scarlet Pimpernel \_/\_ ()/ |/| ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 1999, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/2 "1999-09-19T05:22:00Z")
Please also always post a link to the column being discussed. Here it is: [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/970502.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/970502.html) Thanks, Jill ---
**Author:** ![jane\_says](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jane\_says](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jane_says)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 1999, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/3 "1999-09-18T19:43:00Z")
Please supply the name of the church. I would like to verify this. (Joke) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 1999, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/4 "1999-09-19T02:14:00Z")
Please tell us what was thrown at your sister’s second and subsequent weddings, too. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 1999, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/5 "1999-09-19T02:57:00Z")
Jill: I’ll tell you what was thrown at my niece’s (only) wedding! Nothing. The crowd blew bubbles with those little bubble-blowing toys you get for the kids. Not only did it not leave any rice or birdseed around, it looks a lot cooler in the photos! ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 1999, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/6 "1999-09-19T05:32:00Z")
Why the hell would anyone want to throw _ **bird food** _ at newlyweds? Would it be romantic if I flung a few dog biscuits at them? A chew toy? Grub? Plain and simple, folks, Church ministers don’t want to be sweeping up rice on the front steps. That’s why more and more throwing anything seems to be forbidden. I’m guessing ministers started the urban legend that rice explodes birds. Now, there is some rationale that bits of dried rice or bird seed on the ground is an invitation to a broken hip and law suit. Me, I says, “Stop blindly repeating outdated and idiotic traditions for no good reason.” ---
**Author:** ![Hungry\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hungry\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hungry_Boy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 1999, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/7 "1999-09-19T19:15:00Z")
I have a cousin who claims he could cause birds to explode by giving them bread that had been spiked with crystal Drano. Presumably, one could do the same with a rice ball. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/8 "1999-09-20T01:41:00Z")
Chip–Just think of those poor birds who must have died from slipping off the tree branches covered in soap from the bubbles! And what about all those tiny bubble wands lying around! If I ever get married, I think I’ll stick to the Middle Eastern method of celebrating–just fire a couple of rounds off into the sky. At least that way there won’t be any lingering doubts about possible environmental damage; I’ll know damn well who or what I killed just by checking the paper the next day! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/9 "1999-09-20T03:52:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Me, I says, “Stop blindly repeating outdated and idiotic traditions for no good reason.” Like the whole concept of a ceremonialized wedding…? ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213/10 "1999-09-20T18:16:00Z")
Me, moriah: > [@](#): > > Me, I says, “Stop blindly repeating outdated and idiotic traditions for no good reason.” monty: > [@](#): > > Like the whole concept of a ceremonialized wedding…? Nope, I was referring to intercourse and procreation.