Wildlife officials in Georgia warn about drunk birds

GEORGIA — Georgia wildlife officials are warning residents and visitors about drunk birds around the state.

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In a Facebook post, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said that around this time of year, cedar waxwing birds and American robin birds start eating fruit that has begun to rot and ferment. Officials said, “a byproduct of fermentation is the production of alcohol.”

“The consumption of these fermented fruits can cause the birds to lose much of their coordination and capacity to fly,” officials said.

Birds can end up crashing into windows and other things if they are eating the fermented fruit, officials said, according to WSB-TV. Also, some birds can die from alcohol poisoning if they eat too much.

Officials said that Nandina berries can also cause drunk flying. These types of plants are used in landscaping. The plant “draws cyanide from the soil, depositing often lethal doses in its bright red fruit.”