Why arkansas birds died

The SCWDS report concluded that, "In most instances, such traumatic injuries in wild birds are due to flying into stationary objects such as trees, houses, windows, power lines, towers, etc. These findings come as no surprise to Gary Graves, a Smithsonian curator of birds, who predicted a similar conclusion earlier this month. What was interesting to Graves was the size of the birds' roost, which, according to the report, was estimated at 1. So when you look at the number that was actually killed, that's hardly any," Graves said about the 4, to 5, that died in the incident.

Blackbirds have poor night vision and typically do not fly at night. Yesterday the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released its most recent assessment of the Beebe situation, saying initial analysis shows the birds died of blunt force trauma. The USGS, which has performed full necropsies on some of the birds, has found nothing to refute this. Paul Slota at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center says preliminary examinations have found no sign of poisons though analysis is ongoing and that it appears the birds ran into something while in flight.

But Beebe lacks an abundance of the tall, glassy structures usually associated with flock decimations. But some of these birds showed massive trauma. That in and of itself is an unremarkable way for birds to die. But on one point they are very clear: the likelihood of the Arkansas deaths being linked to the Louisiana deaths or the Kentucky deaths, or the Sweden deaths is extremely low.

But there are a large number of birds that will die in this region at this time of year because there are so may birds down there. Given the season, they are heavily concentrated in the American south right now. It has brought awareness to the story, sure, but it has also led to rampant speculation and misinformation. The bird deaths in Arkansas, Louisiana, and elsewhere are likely unrelated — though the toxicology studies are ongoing and new information may still emerge. We may never conclusively know what happened.

Police imposed an impromptu ban on fireworks when the birds began falling this year. This year, they were concentrated in a smaller area and the birds were cleaned up quickly. There haven't been any reports of people being hit by a falling bird. Biologists said last year's kill was caused by birds who were spooked off their roosts by the loud explosions and began flying into homes, cars, telephone poles and each other.

Mark Marraccini, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said no toxins were discovered, and it was not known how the birds died. The Tennessee birds had been dead too long to determine what killed them, said Lt. Melanie Driscoll, director of bird conservation, Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi Flyway, National Audubon Society said that birds like blackbirds and starlings roost in large congregations, of , or more.

Tests on the Louisiana birds showed physical trauma, and the birds could have run into nearby power lines, said Seymour.