Birds Flying High — Swans and Opiates
What is going on?
The animal world is full of weird and wonderful events. We have brought you various stories from climate piglets, and sentient octopuses to killer whale attacks. Today’s story is about a group of swans addicted to opium through poppy flowers.
In Slovakia, farmers are facing an unusual predicament as swans have taken up residence in their poppy fields and have become “drug addicts.” The swans initially settled in the fields attracted by large puddles of water and green sprouts. Mistaking the poppies for rapeseed, the swans began feeding on the poppy shoots, leading to narcotic intoxication. The flowers contain a dangerous level of alkaloids that are toxic to the birds’ stomach. Unable to fly and vulnerable to predators, dozens of swans have died. The flock of over 150 birds has already destroyed a significant portion of the poppy fields, resulting in substantial financial losses for the farmers. But just like in the UK, swans have a protected status and farmers cannot just remove them. Nature conservationists relocated a portion of the swans to a drug rehabilitation facility but unfortunately, the majority of swans died there too…
But why?
The reason behind this strange bird behaviour lies in the usual culprit — climate change, which is causing noticeable shifts in bird migration patterns across Europe. Migratory birds have an internal clock that tells them to leave their breeding grounds for warmer destinations in winter. Throughout their journey, birds amazingly, use celestial navigation and unlike humans are able to detect magnetic fields to determine their position — harnessing quantum effects to navigate. As temperatures rise and ecosystems undergo transformations, birds are responding by altering their migratory routes and timings. Indeed, scientists from Durham University discovered that some species of trans-Saharan migratory birds are spending almost 60 days more in Europe in their breeding grounds, as warmer springs provide favourable conditions for nesting and foraging. This is the case of opium swans with Slovakia but it is not limited to Europe.
Globally, the bird population is on the decline. In the Hudson Bay area, mosquitos are peaking earlier than before and combined with heat are causing higher egg loss and increased adult mortality. Similarly, the changing weather led to changes in plankton growth, followed by a decline in fish and resulting in declining seabird colonies that are dependent on fish. Arctic birds are incredibly vulnerable as global warming puts species of birds at risk of extinction. In addition, scientists also observed that birds are shrinking in size due to warmer temperatures. Needless to say, there is a knockoff effect since we are all connected…
Final thoughts
Birds, like other animals, are experiencing the negative effect of human-induced global warming. These changing behaviours serve as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching impact of climate change on our delicate ecosystems.
By understanding that our actions can have profound effects on the animal kingdom, we are compelled to protect their habitats, promote their well-being, and preserve biodiversity. Nurturing this harmonious relationship is not only a moral imperative but also essential for the health and sustainability of our planet.
