Drunken Sulphur Crested Cuckatoo

[Mike Tarburton <>]

Albrecht and others listers


Both Pandanus palms and Cycad palms produce intoxicating fluids at times and
insects mammals or birds eating them or drinking the fluids can become
intoxicated.

In Western Australia we used to find Iridomyrmex ants drunk on the Zamia
(Cycad) Palms.  Silvereyes also used to become innebriated on over ripe
mulberries in the West Aust sunshine and they sometimes would not even make
it to the mist nets set 2 metres away from the tree.

This phenomenon does not damage the birds so much if the humans around are
on their side but they become easy prey if the humans around are of a
predatory nature.

Happy birding

Mike

==========
Dr Mike Tarburton
Dean: School of Science & Technology
Pacific Adventist University
PMB Boroko
Papua New Guinea




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