DATE: Monday, November 10, 1997             TAG: 9711100017

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Sidelight 

SOURCE: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: IOWA CITY, IOWA                   LENGTH:   29 lines

BIRDS TRY FLYING HIGH, FALL IN DRUNKEN DAZE

Dozens of migrating song birds that stopped off for refreshments at a downtown berry tree ended up grounded for drunken flying.

``This time of year, the berries are starting to ferment,'' said animal rehabilitator Jeremy Richardson. This fall's early snow knocked leaves from the tree, leaving the berries more visible. ``They are eating wine.''

By Thursday afternoon, about 50 of the little birds, called cedar wax wings, had flown into the windows at a convenience store next to the tree. A handful died.

The solution? Spread cranberries and bananas around the area to draw the birds away from the tree and tie a blue tarp over the berry tree.

``The bar is closed for the night,'' said Animal Control Officer Chris Whitmore. When she arrived at the scene, roughly 30 tipsy birds clung to the tree branches - another 40 were passed out around its trunk.

Richardson said the incident isn't as uncommon as it may seem, though he never had seen so many inebriated birds in one area. ILLUSTRATION: Staff drawing by Ken Wright/The Virginian-Pilot

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