Bees and hummingbirds aren’t just buzzing – they’re sipping trace booze
https://www.theregister.com/2026/03/29/bees_hummingbirds_alcohol/
By Carly Page
Alcohol shows up in most floral nectar, meaning pollinators like bees and hummingbirds end up sipping tiny, natural cocktails as they gather pollen. They’re effectively on the job “day-drinking,” but without the risk of drunkenness. This surprising twist in plant chemistry could affect pollination patterns, nectar preferences, and how we understand wild plant–pollinator networks. Explore what this means for ecosystems, agriculture, and the creatures that keep our gardens buzzing.