United States: mystery around hundreds of thousands of birds found dead

The discovery worries and puzzles scientists.

Within a month, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds were found dead in New Mexico as well as Texas, Colorado and across the US border in Mexico, CNN reveals.

The behavior of the latter, in their last minutes of agony, is just as intriguing.

The fires currently ravaging the American West could be one of the reasons for the deaths of these birds.

According to Martha Desmond, a biologist at New Mexico State University, it all started with the discovery of numerous dead birds in the national park and at a US Army site in White Sands.

Other discoveries of the same kind unfortunately followed.

"By the magnitude of the phenomenon, we know that hundreds of thousands of birds, even millions, have died," warns Martha Desmond.

Hundreds of thousands of migratory birds have found dead across New Mexico, and biologists don't know whyhttps: //t.co/X7s2wf6XqT

- CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 15, 2020

Birds without reaction

Residents and biologists say they were struck by the behavior of some birds before they died.

Many of them, no longer seeming to have the slightest reaction, were hit by cars.

On a golf course, swallows on the ground let themselves be approached by humans.

For scientists, fires in California and other western states are a factor that could explain the phenomenon.

The fires may have forced them to migrate before they were able to make the trip.

"Some birds may not have the reserves to begin their migration and they died there," says Martha Desmond.

Others may have been forced to change their path or have inhaled smoke that harmed their lungs.

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But the fires are probably not the only source of explanation, birds having been found dead as early as August.

“Something else is happening and we don't know what it is.

This in itself is very worrying, ”notes Martha Desmond, for whom climate change“ certainly plays a role ”.