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As spring bursts forth in an explosion of color, our feathered friends can be seen and heard in a chorus of twittering melodies. However, this year the avian community has taken a walk on the wild side, indulging in a little too much of nature’s intoxicating delights. It seems that birds are getting “berry” drunk on rowan berries, leading to tipsy tumbles and disorderly conduct in the skies.
The rowan tree, often hailed as a beacon of protection against evil spirits in folklore, has inadvertently led our birds astray. These magical trees produce clusters of bright red berries that, when fermented, provide a fruity cocktail guaranteed to ruffle some feathers. Soaring with inebriation, our beloved birds have been spotted engaging in erratic flights, clumsy landings, and even bawdy singalongs.
Local birdwatchers have reported the unprecedented phenomenon with a mix of amusement and concern. Mildred Featherbottom, a long-time ornithologist, was found chuckling in her garden as she recounted the antics of a boisterous blackbird. “Never in my 40 years of birdwatching have I seen such a spectacle! They’re squawking like sailors on shore leave and swaying like willows in the wind.”
While most species seem to be partaking in this rowdy rowan revelry, it appears that the starlings have been hit the hardest. There have been unconfirmed reports of synchronized drunken murmurations, with flocks of starlings weaving through the skies in a haphazard ballet.
The buzz surrounding these high-flying benders has prompted scientists to investigate further. While they assure us that this boozy behavior is temporary and relatively harmless, some are already working on a hangover cure for our feathered friends. In the meantime, it seems the skies are filled with more than just the sound of music; they’re also filled with the raucous laughter of birds on a berry bender.
WORDS: The Biology Guy @thebiologyguy
IMAGE CREDIT: m.shattock.
