Berry-eating birds getting drunk, slamming into windshields

Feb. 28, 2001 10:30:00

REDDING, Calif. - As if driving along the nation's busy highways wasn't difficult enough, now there's the danger of drunken birds.

Intoxicated birds spent the weekend here careened into car windshields and flying into the pavement, leaving scores of bird carcasses along Interstate 5 in Shasta County.

"They had a real party," said state transportation spokeswoman Debbie Ginn. No people were injured.

Now officials say they may be to blame.

The birds had apparently been eating the parneyi cotoneaster berry, a fermenting fruit that gives birds an alcohol buzz. More than 20 years ago its bushes were planted by state Department of Transportation landscapers.

Though they are hearty in dry, hot conditions, the berry bushes frequently fall prey to insects, so they are no longer considered suitable to plant, transportation officials said.

Highway Patrol officers joke they have been unable so far to catch the drunken birds for FUI - flying under the influence.

"They're not buying into the 'designated flier' program, either, and the T-shirts don't fit them," California Highway Patrol spokesman Monty Hite said Monday.

http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0228drunkbirds28-ON.html

-- W. W. Pecker (home@flying.high), February 28, 2001

Answers

They know that the World will end soon, they are commiting kamikaze suicide.

-- (humans@destroyed.planet), March 01, 2001.

Highway Patrol officers joke they have been unable so far to catch the drunken birds for FUI - flying under the influence

Can anyone say 'MO MONEY' IF they could?

hee hee.

moral of the story, If you MUST drink and FLY!!!!

Remember that SPRING FLINGERS LOL.

-- sumer (shh@aol.con), March 01, 2001.