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"Chaotic seabirds" influenced Alfred Hitchcock

In August 1961, in Capitola and Santa Cruz, California there was an invasion of what people described as “chaotic seabirds.” These birds were believed to be under the influence of domoic acid, a neurotoxin that is produced by algae and accumulates in shellfish, sardines, and anchovies (aka “filter feeders”) and inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film, “The Birds.”


@JoeSchwarcz

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