Hundreds of birds suddenly drop from the sky [video]
Bizarre video shows hundreds of birds suddenly drop from the sky

					Security footage shows how a flock of birds drop dead mid-flight in the northern Mexican city of Chihuahua. Sectional police of Alvaro Obregon reported that close to 100 yellow-headed blackbirds that migrate from northern Canada to Mexico for the winter dropped from the sky on Feb. 7.People in the community were stunned to find the birds dead on the streets and sidewalks. A veterinarian told police the birds could have died after inhaling toxic fumes from a heater nearby or because of an overcharge from electricity cables.Another theory was that a predator was behind the strange event. Ornithologist and biology professor at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, Ronald L. Mumme told Newsweek he thought a large bird was behind it."Based on the birds' behavior, my suspicion is that a falcon or other bird-eating raptor attacked the flock in flight, and during evasive maneuvers the flock members dove, became disoriented, and many crashed to the ground and injured themselves," he said. "I don't think any birds were having problems until they collided with the ground or buildings. It looks like most of the birds were able to fly away, but a significant number could not."Two more experts told The Guardian they agreed with Mumme, blaming the event on "flock murmurating to avoid a predator raptor."  Authorities said they still don't know for sure what caused the deaths.A similar incident was reported in Wales in March 2020 when dozens of starlings were found dead on a street. Experts speculated the birds had gone into a dive murmuration, or formation, together and hit the pavement. In 2014, USA Today reported that birds had fallen from the sky in St. Louis, Michigan, because they ate insects and grubs from contaminated soil. A forensic study found lethal levels of DDT in the birds.
				
					ÁLVARO OBREGÓN, CDMX —Security footage shows how a flock of birds drop dead mid-flight in the northern Mexican city of Chihuahua. Sectional police of Alvaro Obregon reported that close to 100 yellow-headed blackbirds that migrate from northern Canada to Mexico for the winter dropped from the sky on Feb. 7.

People in the community were stunned to find the birds dead on the streets and sidewalks. A veterinarian told police the birds could have died after inhaling toxic fumes from a heater nearby or because of an overcharge from electricity cables.Another theory was that a predator was behind the strange event. Ornithologist and biology professor at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, Ronald L. Mumme told Newsweek he thought a large bird was behind it.


"Based on the birds' behavior, my suspicion is that a falcon or other bird-eating raptor attacked the flock in flight, and during evasive maneuvers the flock members dove, became disoriented, and many crashed to the ground and injured themselves," he said. "I don't think any birds were having problems until they collided with the ground or buildings. It looks like most of the birds were able to fly away, but a significant number could not."
Two more experts told The Guardian they agreed with Mumme, blaming the event on "flock murmurating to avoid a predator raptor."  Authorities said they still don't know for sure what caused the deaths.A similar incident was reported in Wales in March 2020 when dozens of starlings were found dead on a street. Experts speculated the birds had gone into a dive murmuration, or formation, together and hit the pavement. In 2014, USA Today reported that birds had fallen from the sky in St. Louis, Michigan, because they ate insects and grubs from contaminated soil. A forensic study found lethal levels of DDT in the birds.

					
									