Massive bird deaths likely caused by loud noises

[Mark Maker]

Source: USA Today

By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
A mysterious event that caused thousands of red-wing blackbirds to rain down from the sky New Year's Eve in the Arkansas town of Beebe most likely occurred when loud noises and fireworks frightened a flock that roosts in a neighborhood, causing them to die when they flew into buildings and other obstacles, a state ornithologist said.
Preliminary necropsies on the dead birds by the state Livestock and Poultry Commission "showed trauma. The birds obviously hit something very hard and had hemorrhages," said Karen Rowe, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission ornithologist. Beyond that, all the birds were healthy. The state is also performing chemical and disease testing, but the results will take a week.

Neighbors reported "five to 12 booming noises in the eastern part of town. They reported it sounding like a cannon or transformer exploding," but officials are still investigating to find out what the noises were, Rowe said.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-01-03-dead-birds_N.htm

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Like they're going to tell us the truth. And what about the fish? Loud noises again?