What Is Going on With These Birds?

Mass bird kills aren't uncommon. The US Geological Survey documented 90 mass deaths of birds from June to December last year. Over the past 30 years, it counts 16 events in which 1,000 birds or more suddenly died

This is getting too creepy. Yestermorning a bird smashed against a window of our sun porch and knocked itself silly. I went out to see what had been the result when a large hawk took off with my little birdee.
It a sign I tell you. The dead will soon be rising and cats dogs will be speaking in tongues.

Mysterious bird deaths explained
By Andrew Golis

Mystery solved.

It wasn't poison, or lightning, or the end of the world. The thousands of birds found dead on the streets of Beebe, Arkansas, on New Year's Day were killed by... fireworks.

According to USA Today:

It was someone shooting off professional grade fireworks in a residential district, scaring the night-blind birds out of their roost into a 25-mph flight that ran them into houses, signs and even the ground, says Karen Rowe, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission ornithologist.

Rowe confirmed the cause of death after getting back results from extensive necropsies done on the animals and examining the pattern the birds were found in. Both were consistent with their theory that a startled flock flew up, then quickly back down to find safety and, unable to see at night, hit the ground and other objects at full speed.


The relatively straightforward explanation will likely disappoint some who speculated -- jokingly and not -- that the massive bird death was related to something more sinister.

2 million fish found dead in MarylandBy the CNN Wire StaffJanuary 6, 2011 9:37 a.m. EST

"Cold water stress" appears to be a factor in the deaths of about 2 million fish in Chesapeake Bay, a Maryland agency says.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Officials suspect natural causes in massive fish kill in Chesapeake Bay
Small spot fish likely succumbed to cold water stress, Maryland officials say
It's not the first time winter kills of spot fish have been seen in the state

(CNN) -- Authorities in Maryland are investigating the deaths of about 2 million fish in Chesapeake Bay.

"Natural causes appear to be the reason," the Maryland Department of the Environment said in a news release. "Cold water stress exacerbated by a large population of the affected species (juvenile spot fish) appears to be the cause of the kill."

The investigation comes days after the deaths of an estimated 100,000 fish in northwest Arkansas. Authorities suspect disease was to blame there, a state spokesman said.

In Maryland, preliminary tests showed water quality to be acceptable, officials said.

"The affected fish are almost exclusively juvenile spot fish, 3 to 6 inches in length," the Maryland department said. A recent survey "showed a very strong population of spot in the bay this year. An increased juvenile population and limited deep water habitat would likely compound the effects of cold water stress."

Large winter kills of spot fish have occurred at least twice before in the state, in 1976 and 1980, the department said.