Bye-bye Blackbirds?

There is a strange story of around 2000 (American?) blackbirds falling dead from the sky over New Year in Beebee Arkansas USA (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343413/Thousands-blackbirds-literally-drop-dead-sky-Arkansas-city.html ). There is much speculation about what might have caused the fatalities (including lightening strikes and hail stones at altitude) but one suggestion is that they were scared to death by celebratory fireworks.