There was a moderate quake in the East Bay (Fremont) about a year or two ago and one of my co-workers mentioned that just before it hit, the birds were making a lot of noise.

It was significant enough to draw his attention, he is not an avid nature lover, nor does he follow earth science too closely. As he went towards the window of his home, 30 seconds after he noted the unusual bird noises, the rumbler hit.

Not quite as dramatic as a "bird hiatus", but a significant observation about bird sensitivity even to smaller events.