Memphis birds get tipsy from fermented fruit

[March 03, 2009]  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Some drunks got out of hand, but instead of barflies it was birds intoxicated from eating fermented fruit.

The Health Department investigated after receiving calls this week about dead and floundering Cedar waxwing birds.

An investigator told The Commercial Appeal he traced the problem to berries from nearby holly trees. Recent freezes ruptured berry cells, allowing the wild yeast to convert sugars into alcohol.

The birds apparently got tipsy from consuming the fermented berries and crashed into buildings.

Health officials said they don't how many birds died from flying intoxicated.

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Information from: The Memphis Daily News, http://www.memphisdailynews.com/

[Associated Press]

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