This might be the weirdest reason for researchers to do a study, but we now know that when birds get high on opioids that their singing sounds like jazz music.
According to new research by the University of Wisconsin, Madison starlings dosed with small amounts of fentanyl belt out “gregarious” songs akin to “jazz.”
To first prove that the birds croon when content, the scientists decorated a space and placed a flock of European starlings inside after they had just sung. They then gave them the option of returning to the adorned birdhouse or an undecorated location. The birds spent longer in the former, suggesting they linked it with the happiness they experienced from singing.
The researchers tested this theory by giving the starlings low levels of fentanyl and the buzzed birds immediately replicated the rapturous chirps heard when they flock.
Now we're not fully supportive of this study, but if you hear jazz-like chirping from your backyard just know it's from some high birds!
(NY Post)
Photo Credit: Getty Images