A police department in Minnesota warned the town's residents this week about young, drunk birds flying into windows and acting "tipsy."
The Gilbert Police Department posted a message to its Facebook page Tuesday that explained why the birds are acting out.
"The Gilbert Police Department has received several reports of birds that appear to be 'under the influence,' flying into windows, cars, and acting confused," the press release reads.
"The reason behind this occurrence is certain berries we have in our area have fermented earlier than usual due to an early frost, which in turn has expedited the fermenting process."
The department noted that it's still early enough in the fall season that not all birds have begun their southern migration, which means more of them are still in Gilbert.
"It appears that some birds are getting a little more 'tipsy' than normal. Generally, younger birds' livers cannot handle the toxins as efficiently as more mature birds," the department wrote.
"There is no need to call law enforcement about these birds, as they should sober up within a short period of time."
Gilbert Police chief Ty Techer told KMSP the phenomenon of the drunk birds has been labeled "berry benders" because of their fermented food source.
"We've sort of nicknamed it 'berry benders,' now that these birds are on a berry bender," Techer said. "The young birds' livers can't process it as well; they seem to be loopier, for lack of a better term."
Park ranger Sharon Stiteler, meanwhile, told the news station cedar waxwings and American robins are among the bird species who are eating the tainted berries.
"Drunk birds are totally a thing. I've had to give sober rides to cedar waxwings from uptown," Stiteler joked.
Gilbert is about 60 miles north of Duluth.
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