This paper deals with the problem of the relationship between human activity and bird remains found in archaeological contexts. A study of 33 archaeozoological samples shows that limb bones are highly over-represented in human food debris. In contrast, three samples of birds that have died of natural causes shows that natural decomposition factors act in the opposite way, the limb bones being under-represented. The use of these observations in determining the anthropogenous status of archaeological bird remains is discussed. A great similarity in the ratio of different anatomical regions of birds that died from natural causes and birds found at shorebound Stone Age settlements is also noted. This raises the possibility that a large proportion of these birds are unconnected with human economy, or at least cooking. -- AATA