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A mysterious phenomenon is being studied by biologists at New Mexico State University. Birds are falling dead from the sky. The phenomenon can be considered a bad omen by certain cultures, or remind us of the Netflix series “Dark”.
It all started on August 20 with the discovery of a host of diverse species at the White Sands Missile Range and White Sands National Monument. A sea of dead birds on the ground. Of different species.
“This is not an isolated incident”
Martha Desmond, a professor in the university’s department of fish, wildlife and conservation ecology, noted that the numbers of fallen birds are very high. It would not be an isolated incident. “The number is in the six figures. Just looking at the scope of what we are seeing, we know that this is a very large event, hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of dead birds, “the expert told CNN.
Species, all migratory birds, include warblers, bluebirds, sparrows, blackbirds, western wood pewee, and flycatchers. The phenomenon also observed in Colorado, Texas and Mexico.
Large numbers of birds were found dead in New Mexico. Her behavior before she died caught the attention of experts and residents. https://t.co/PwSwa7uDn8
– CNN in Spanish (@CNNEE) September 17, 2020
Why it happens?
Climate change and a series of forest fires could be factors behind the phenomenon. According to specialists, this could prompt the species to begin a migration before they were ready. “Birds that migrated before they were ready due to the weather may not have had enough fat to survive,” Desmond said. “It is possible that some birds did not even have the reserves to begin migrating, so they died on the spot.”
There are still questions about these facts. The birds will be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensic Laboratory in Oregon to perform necropsies and determine causes of death, but results could take weeks. Although for now, it was determined that some of them inhaled smoke from the fires, which led to serious respiratory problems.
“This is devastating. Climatic load is playing a role in this, ”Desmond said.
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