An Arkansas town has issued a fireworks ban after thousands of dead blackbirds rained down from the sky on the last two New Year’s Eves.
The Daily Citizen newspaper reports the city council in Beebe approved an ordinance this year banning fireworks in areas where blackbirds have been known to roost.
An estimated 5,000 dead blackbirds fell from the sky as people in Beebe rang in 2011 with fireworks, drawing conspiracy theorists and filmmakers to the town about 30 miles northeast of Little Rock.
Another 200 fell dead from the sky as residents shot fireworks into the air to rang in 2012.
Scientists said the blackbirds were spooked off their roosts by the loud explosions from the fireworks and began flying into homes, cars, telephone poles and each other.
Blackbirds have poor night vision and do not typically fly at night, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Blackbirds flock together during fall, winter and early spring, often forming huge roosts in urban areas. Their presence is often problematic because of potential health, economic and nuisance problems.
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