Hundreds of birds drop dead in Rome after New Year's Eve fireworks display The International Organization for the Protection of Animals said it appeared related to a particularly loud display of firecrackers and fireworks in the leafy neighborhood that many birds use to nest Associated Press | January 2, 2021 | Updated 10:32 IST Fireworks displays each year cause distress and injury to both wild and domestic animals Hundreds of birds died after many people set off fireworks in the Italian capital on New Year's Eve, animal rights groups said Friday, calling it a "massacre". Footage of streets near Rome's main train station showed dozens and dozens of birds - mostly starlings - scattered lifeless on the ground.