They reckon that the berries of a syringa tree are poisonous for human consumption, but the wild birds feast on them.
I never knew that the syringa berries could make the wild birds drunk.
Fruits are poisonous or narcotic to humans if eaten in quantity. However. these toxins are not harmful to birds, who gorge themselves on the fruit, eventually reaching a "drunken" state.
I suppose that they fly around in circles, happily singing some bar songs :)
The birds that are able to eat the fruit spread the seeds in their droppings. The toxins are neurotoxins and unidentified resins, found mainly in the fruits. The first symptoms of poisoning appear a few hours after ingestion. They may include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody faeces, stomach pain, pulmonary congestion, cardiac arrest, rigidity, lack of coordination and general weakness. Death may take place after about 24 hours. As in relatives, tetranortriterpenoids constitute an important toxic principle. These are chemically related to azadirachtin, the primary insecticidal compound in the commercially important neem oil. These compounds are probably related to the wood and seed's resistance to pest infestation, and maybe to the unattractiveness of the flowers to animals.
Now I know why the Malachite was singing so happily, not only were the berries making him intoxicated, but you will see the other reason below, as his missus was collecting nesting materials, with a syringa twig in her mouth. Soon, he will have a youngster or two, and he can also teach them how to get drunk on the Syringa berries.
Then below, the Cape BulBul appeared again, and come and look how he enjoyed the berries.
Check how happily the berries make him sing, and he also called his partner to come and have a drink.
The partner arrived, and happiness is what you can see here below.
Now this Red-faced Mousebird must be a pastor or something like that, as he knows not to get drunk on the syringa berries, and he was feeding on a non-alcoholic tree.
I was having a lot of fun taking these photos, and it was a good idea to wait at the syringa tree for the action to start. I don't know if birds act like humans when they become intoxicated, because in the human way they will soon start making love, or they will start fighting. The locals here call it sex or boxing gloves, as it is often the result of drinking too much cheap wine. I do not take photos of the humans in action, but I leave it to your imagination of what happens.
The syringa tree is a non-native invasive tree in South Africa, and the authorities are currently busy clearing all invasives in order to conserve water. We have hundreds of beautiful old Oak trees here, and I hope that they will not also be cleared.
Such is life.
I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures and the story.
And That's All Friends.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
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