The dead birds, which were estimated to be at least 50, but could total much more, appeared to be starlings and were reported to police on Sunday afternoon along Boyd Creek Highway.
The Mountain Press reported several birds were still alive and flopping on the road when the newspaper's photographer arrived.
Sgt. Robert Stoffle, of the Sevier County Sheriff's Department, said a witness told police that the birds were seen in flight shortly before they fell to the ground. Stoffle said a state wildlife official took some of the birds from the scene for testing.
