Drunken birds halt flights

Birds have caused widespread disruption at an airport in the US by preventing planes from taking off.

Flights from Jackson Atlanta International Airport have been delayed by cedar waxwing birds, which are eating berries from nearby bushes which are making them act as if they are drunk.

According to the Clayton News Daily, the birds are then collapsing around the airport and on its runways. The airport is reluctant to allow the planes to take off while the birds are on the ground not only because of the danger of killing them, but also the threat of the birds hitting aircraft on take-off.

As such, the airport has now taken steps to tackle the problem, by cutting back the bushes where the berries grow.

Other measures have also been put in place, with models of owls set up around the airport to scare away small animals and birds, while bird noises are sounded to imitate predators.

It is hoped these schemes will reduce delays at the airport which have been caused by the birds in recent weeks.