Mystery surrounds death of blackbirds
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CELEBRATORY fireworks might have sent thousands of confused blackbirds into such a spin that they crashed into homes, cars and each other before plummeting to their deaths in central Arkansas, scientists said. Still, officials acknowledged it's unlikely they will ever pinpoint a cause with certainty.
So for the small town of Beebe, Arkansas, where New Year's revelers spent the holiday weekend cleaning up more than 3,000 dead red-winged blackbirds, the mystery remains unsolved.
Some speculated on Monday that a bout of bad weather was to blame. Others said one confused bird could have led the group in a fatal plunge. A few spooked children even guessed that the birds had committed mass suicide.
The birds were the second mass wildlife death in Arkansas in recent days. Last week, about 83,000 dead and dying drum fish washed up along a 30-kilometer stretch of the Arkansas River, about 60 kilometers west of Beebe.
Wildlife officials say the fish deaths are not related to the dead birds, and that because mainly one species of fish was affected, it is likely they were stricken by an illness. Full test results could take up to a month.
The Game and Fish Commission sent bodies to the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission and the National Wildlife Health -Center in Wisconsin. The University of Georgia's wildlife disease study group also asked for a set of birds.
Some grackles and starlings were among the dead. Those species roost with blackbirds, particularly in winter.
So for the small town of Beebe, Arkansas, where New Year's revelers spent the holiday weekend cleaning up more than 3,000 dead red-winged blackbirds, the mystery remains unsolved.
Some speculated on Monday that a bout of bad weather was to blame. Others said one confused bird could have led the group in a fatal plunge. A few spooked children even guessed that the birds had committed mass suicide.
The birds were the second mass wildlife death in Arkansas in recent days. Last week, about 83,000 dead and dying drum fish washed up along a 30-kilometer stretch of the Arkansas River, about 60 kilometers west of Beebe.
Wildlife officials say the fish deaths are not related to the dead birds, and that because mainly one species of fish was affected, it is likely they were stricken by an illness. Full test results could take up to a month.
The Game and Fish Commission sent bodies to the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission and the National Wildlife Health -Center in Wisconsin. The University of Georgia's wildlife disease study group also asked for a set of birds.
Some grackles and starlings were among the dead. Those species roost with blackbirds, particularly in winter.
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