The Fail Whale...

Can someone explain this picture to me? I know it's the Twitter "Fail Whale." From time to time it appears when Twitter is over capacity, but why?

Let's count the perplexing elements of this graphic...

1) Are the birds kidnapping the whale or returning him safely? The satisfied look on the big fish's face leads one to believe he's being led to water. But where were the birds hiding him?

2) Clearly the birds need to work on their team work. Half the birds are flying east, and the other half are pulling west. Whatever they're up to, it won't last long.

3) Of course they did all work together to each grab one guideline and hoist the mammoth beast from (or to) the water, so maybe I should give them a little credit.

4) And finally, does this picture on it's own merit state: "Please be patient during this technical delay."

Oh Fail Whale, you're on a conundrum wrapped in a riddle, locked safely inside an enigma.