No joke. Officials at Southern California’s Wildlife Care Center detained four pelicans under suspicion of being drunk in public. Apparently one of the drunk birds struck the windshield of a car while the other three were suspiciously wandering the streets of Laguna Beach.
Although results of toxicology tests will not be ready for several weeks, experts believe the pelicans to have been under the influence of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can be found in algae blooms and shellfish.
Keep your eyes peeled for any odd bird behavior. If you notice any seabirds acting rambunctious or reckless or hitting on other birds that are extraordinarily fat & ugly, then call your local IBRRC office - no doubt they can always stand to be busier.
Read for yourself: http://www.livescience.com/othernews/ap_060625_drunk_pelican.html
I’ve seen several pelicans plunge themselves straight down into the water at high speed. They do this repeatedly. Are they intoxicated?
Pelicans dive like that to catch fish. It’s completely normal. If they are intoxicated, then they’re just trying to eat it off.
I see, thanks Kris. Birds are really cool. I like Pelicans and grouse.