Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
Groups keyboard shortcuts have been updated
Dismiss
See shortcuts

Hundreds of blackbirds mysteriously 'drop dead' mid-flight

13 views
Skip to first unread message

Judith Latham

unread,
Feb 15, 2022, 11:04:26 PM2/15/22
to
https://www.wnd.com/2022/02/watch-hundreds-blackbirds-mysteriously-drop-dead-mid-flight/


Hundreds of yellow-headed blackbirds fell from the sky, and about 100
appeared to die, in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Feb. 7.

The flock of blackbirds quickly descended upon a Chihuahua neighborhood
street in footage shared by Reuters, briefly blackening the sky. Most of
the birds continued flying in different directions, but dozens remained
on the ground, seemingly dead.

Several theories have spread about the cause of the birds’ sudden
descent or death. A veterinarian suggested that inhalation of toxic
fumes, possibly from a heater, caused the bizarre incident, according to
the Chihuahua Herald. The newspaper also speculated that the birds may
have been electrocuted while sitting on a power line.

Richard Broughton, an ecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology &
Hydrology, told the Guardian that a predatory bird, such as a raptor,
was the likely cause. Raptors chase flocks of birds, causing them to fly
tightly together before crashing into the ground, he explained.

The Independent suggested that blame for the bird deaths may lie with
high levels of air pollutants. There have been several incidents of
large numbers of migratory birds dropping dead in New Mexico, according
to the Independent. The birds that crashed in Chihuahua were migratory
birds from Canada, the outlet said.

Thomas Joseph

unread,
Feb 20, 2022, 5:41:26 PM2/20/22
to
Judith Latham wrote:
> https://www.wnd.com/2022/02/watch-hundreds-blackbirds-mysteriously-drop-dead-mid-flight/

> Hundreds of yellow-headed blackbirds fell from the sky, and about 100
> appeared to die, in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Feb. 7.
>
> The flock of blackbirds quickly descended upon a Chihuahua neighborhood
> street in footage shared by Reuters, briefly blackening the sky. Most of
> the birds continued flying in different directions, but dozens remained
> on the ground, seemingly dead.


Let the mystery die here. I was in the Chihuahua area on Feb. 7th with a group of fellow bird watchers. We had heard this was a great spot for blackbird viewing. We were also trophy hunting for tigers and other land creatures - trophy hunting. A dual mission. We had heard tigers and other wild creatures were plentiful in the area. But we had already been there two days and seen nothing. We were getting frustrated. I remember hearing a member of our party scream, "I can't take it anymore", before raising his rifle to the sky and pumping away. Others followed suit. They were not aiming at anything, just taking out the frustration that comes with a disappointing hunt. One member yelled, "Don't do that - don't shoot at the sky", but the group was already heavy into it, so the guy yelling stop joined in, blowing bullet after bullet into the sky, all the while screaming, "Something's got to die!" I was the last one to join in. I hate to admit it because typically I am not a follower.

That's when I saw the first blackbird hit the ground. Then a blanket of birds began to fall from the skies, one of them landing beak first in the eye socket of our group guide. He squirmed on the ground pleading, "Take it out, take it out", as one of the others grabbed the bird by it's tail and yanked out the beak, which unfortunately had the guy's eye attached to it. The next day infection set in and he died a few days later. We buried the guy in the desert and never reported the incident. Only now, safely out of Mexico, do I reveal this to you.

Thomas Joseph

unread,
Feb 25, 2022, 5:43:08 AM2/25/22
to
Was my post too long for you, Judith?

Judith Latham

unread,
Feb 25, 2022, 4:22:49 PM2/25/22
to
Your posts could never be too long. I savor every word you write. If I
don't reply, it's because I have nothing to add. I was taught young to
only speak when you have something to say. A whole lot of people do a
lot of talking but they're not saying anything.



Thomas Joseph

unread,
Feb 25, 2022, 7:54:58 PM2/25/22
to
udith Latham wrote:

> Your posts could never be too long. I savor every word you write. If I
> don't reply, it's because I have nothing to add. I was taught young to
> only speak when you have something to say. A whole lot of people do a
> lot of talking but they're not saying anything.

Well, I'll just have to take your word on that, that you read all my posts in full. As for a whole lot of people talking but not saying anything, certainly at times I am one of them. That's the fun of it, to speak and have nothing to say. Sort of like time. What good is time if it can't be wasted? I like some posts to flow even if I'm the only one liking it. But if others like it too it's a bonus.
0 new messages