In fact, didn’t a bunch of strong storms with tornadoes go through earlier in the day in parts of Arkansas before the birds fell? Is it possible that the tornado sucked in a whole bunch of birds and they fell down many miles away after the storm passed?
Nasty weather there recently. I’ve got a couple of theories: a flock poisoned (either intentionally or not), pulled into a tornado, electrocution, or rapid air pressure change from the shock wave of lightning (ruptures the lungs). Regardless, the state health department will want to figure it out.