Birds intoxicated after eating fermented berries
Blackbirds have died from alcohol poisoning after eating fermented berries at a primary school in Cumbria.
An investigation began after animal health specialists were called to examine a dozen birds that had been found dead in the playground with trauma injuries.
Scientists believe the birds sustained the injuries in flight after post-mortem analysis showed the birds were intoxicated.
The results revealed one of the birds had a large amount of pure alcohol in its liver and that all 12 had all eaten berries from a nearby rowan tree.
Damaged berries were also recorded on the ground where the birds were found, which the scientists say would have been vulnerable to yeast infestation - causing fermentation and subsequent alcohol production.
Tim Harrison, development officer of the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) Garden BirdWatch explained: "Generally speaking, birds that have a lot of fruit in their diet are more efficient at metabolising alcohol and are better adapted at eating fruit that has higher alcohol concentrations.
"There are anecdotal reports of birds acting 'drunk' but these tend to be very rare."
The results have been published by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) published their results in the Veterinary Record.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
