There is indeed some scientific research, as well as anecdotal evidence, that some birds seek out addictive substances – but it is quite limited.

One example is that of Rose-ringed Parakeets damaging opium fields in India. The farmers who are licensed to grow opium for medical purposes complain that swarms of the parakeets create huge losses for them and sometimes fly away with whole poppy flowers. The BBC, in a post titled “India: Opium-addicted parrots ‘wreak havoc’ for farmers“, cites an opium expert stating that the opium gives the birds instant energy, and that once they get to this, they fall prey to addiction. According to the Daily Mail, “the parrots have become so addicted that the farmers say they must be on near-constant alert to stop the birds eating the seeds and getting high”. Admittedly, the Daily Mail is not exactly a highly regarded scientific journal, as also indicated by the article headline “Polly wants crack”.

Many birds regularly consume small amounts of alcohol, as part of the sugar in their diet may ferment. Hummingbirds are an example (source). However, this obviously does not, on its own, indicate any addiction.

Another paper looked at the species and circumstances under which birds drink alcohol, analyzing scientific papers and YouTube videos. It concludes that many species drink alcohol, but that most of the alcohol is provided by humans rather than by nature. Human-provided alcohol consumption is mainly found in two intelligent bird families, parrots and corvids. But again, this paper does not indicate addiction.

Indeed, there are indications that birds avoid fruit with high alcohol concentration – a very reasonable move, given the higher risk of accidents when intoxicated (yes, that applies to birds as well). For example, one researcher hypothesizes that older waxwings can detect and avoid alcohol, based on the finding that only young waxwings died from injuries after intoxication-induced accidents (source).

The high risk of alcohol consumption for birds therefore seems to make it unlikely that birds can become addicted to alcohol – any such addiction would certainly be quickly weeded out by evolution. But then again, shouldn’t the same apply to humans?

Cover photo: Rose-ringed Parakeet, Delhi area, April 2019

Written by Kai Pflug
Kai has been living in Shanghai for 21 years. He only became interested in birds in China – so he is much more familiar with birds in China than with those in Germany. While he will only ever be an average birder, he aims to be a good bird photographer and has created a website with bird photos as proof. He hopes not too many clients of his consulting company read this blog, as they will doubt his dedication to providing consulting services related to China`s chemical industry. Whenever he wants to shock other birders, he tells them his (indoor) cats can distinguish several warblers by taste.