If a big asteroid hit the earth sending firestorms and destruction of vegetation around the globe, what happened to the birds?
The ones that were flying the highest fell the farthest.
Pretty much NOTHING larger than a house cat survived.
Of the critters that did survive all are of species that have members who lived in burrows, estivated in mud, or didn't need to come to the surface to breathe.
Consistant with a quick global broil. Think Baked Alaska...