Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Study Reveals Alcohol in Nectar Affects Hummingbird Diet

3/27/2026

38 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

University of California, Berkeley researchers report that flower nectar often contains alcohol, with samples up to 0.056%.
The study tested 29 plant species and found alcohol in 26, suggesting regular ingestion by nectar-feeding animals.
Hummingbirds may consume about 0.2 grams of ethanol per kilogram of body weight daily.
The findings were published in Royal Society Open Science on March 25, 2026.

1 of 1

Story summary

University of California, Berkeley researchers report that flower nectar often contains alcohol, with samples up to 0.056%.
The study tested 29 plant species and found alcohol in 26, suggesting regular ingestion by nectar-feeding animals.
Hummingbirds may consume about 0.2 grams of ethanol per kilogram of body weight daily.
The findings were published in Royal Society Open Science on March 25, 2026.