Intoxicated birds have overridden a small town in Minnesota, and other cities.

Birds in Gilbert, Minnesota have been eating berries and getting intoxicated. This issue has arisen for a couple reasons. The issue is more prevalent this year than years past due to the birds not yet migrating south. The Washington Post also noted that younger birds’ livers cannot handle the toxins of the alcohol as efficiently as more mature birds. Also, residents in the area have been told that they should put decals on windows and other large reflective surfaces in an effort to prevent more bird deaths and injuries.

“Drunk birds definitely seem like something I would not want to deal with,” junior Josh Elzy said.

Residents in the area have reported the birds hitting their windshields, being more tipsy, falling out of trees and flying erratically. Robins, cedar waxings and thrushes are most vulnerable to the effects of the berries. The issue has become so widespread that the Audubon Society has opened what is called a drunk tank for the birds in Portland, Oregon. They are put in the enclosure and monitored until they are deemed safe to be released back to the wild. In Canada’s Yukon territory officials do something similar, putting intoxicated birds in small cages and keeping an eye on them until they release them.

“I am happy I do not have to deal with this issue around here,” senior Mario Gonzalez said.

Getting intoxicated has caused some death to birds. According to the Washington Post, Portland has seen multiple instances where 30 to 50 robins suddenly turn up dead because of alcohol poisoning. Additionally, in 2011 12 blackbirds fell victim to alcohol poisoning at an elementary school.

“It is good to see there are organizations trying to help out the issue,” junior Adam Thomason said.