It's some form of trauma. Either someone has disturbed the birds, or some kind of predator is in the area.

We can't even imagine the kind of trauma they went through.

I'm very disturbed. It's kind of a last hope to do something. I don't understand how the decision went against us.

I see all the birds are flown.

We have received hundreds of letters from fans and alumni who are disturbed by what they saw.

Between the two seas the sea-bird's wing makes halt, Wind-weary; while with lifting head he waits For breath to reinspire him from the gates That open still toward sunrise on the vault High-domed of morning. - Algernon Charles Swinburne,