Hundreds of dead black birds in Louisiana follow Arkansas deaths

Coming just days after more than 3,000 blackbirds dropped from the skies over Arkansas, hundreds of blackbirds and starlings were discovered dead and dying in Louisiana.

The disturbing mystery of mass blackbird deaths deepened on Tuesday after hundreds of blackbirds and starlings were discovered dead and dying along a quarter-mile sketch of highway in Louisiana, according to an Associated Press report. Louisiana authorities estimated 500 dead birds sprawled along the highway on Monday. The gruesome discovery comes just days after more than 3,000 blackbirds fell out of the skies over Arkansas and died - along with scores of dead fish found along an Arkansas riverbank, as reported by Christian Science Monitor. While authorities believe the birds experienced a sudden fatal fright, autopsies of the Arkansas birds showed that they had sustained internal injuries and blood clots, according to the Associated Press report issued on Tuesday. Laboratory tests for the Louisiana birds have been scheduled, but the results will not be known for at least a week. Louisiana State Wildlife Vetinarian Jim LaCour told the Associated Press that similar events have occurred in the past "in various species over the years." However, when combined with the Arkansas bird and fish deaths, the die-off does appear unusual. "This is really getting kind of crazy with the fish and the birds and these tornadoes hitting during the winter," Arkansas resident Denise Dickerson told the Chicago Tribune.