Austin Community News >> Theories Behind Dead Birds in Downtown Austin
1/13/2007 AUSTIN – Whatever
caused dozens of birds to drop dead in downtown Austin probably was not a public
health threat, officials said Tuesday.
But Austinites are posing their own theories to the city's health department –
like maybe the birds were flying drunk.
Authorities discovered 63 dead birds overnight Monday on Congress Avenue leading
to the state Capitol. Officials are awaiting lab results to determine the cause
that could take a week or longer.
The carcasses of the grackles, sparrows and pigeons were found between Sixth and
Eighth streets. There were no reports of humans harmed, though crews in
hazardous material suits shut down 10 blocks near the Capitol on the eve of the
80th legislative session while they tested for environmental contaminants and
leaks.
Avian flu is not suspected, said Carole Barasch, spokeswoman for Austin-Travis
County Health and Human Services. Officials have said other health threats are
also unlikely, though the public is sharing plenty of conclusions.
Among the theories Barasch's office has received: the birds drank fermented
berries and were intoxicated, or the birds were disoriented from new high-rise
structures downtown and crashed into the reflective glass. Accidental mistletoe
berry poisoning has also been suggested.
Ornithology experts believe the birds were poisoned deliberately, though Barasch
said her department won't speculate until lab results are returned.
No other large bird kills have been reported since the downtown closure, Barasch
said.
(Contributed by AP)