Not solely is it a foul concept to feed birds alcohol, however to then document it and have it posted on-line as proof? Properly, that would get you a jail sentence.
That was the lesson a Los Angeles man realized final week when he was sentenced to 45 days in jail after he gave a Cooper’s hawk a BuzzBall, a kind of ready-to-serve cocktail identified for its fruity taste, and a video of him doing it was posted to YouTube.
Cesar Gustavo Diaz, 25, of Watts pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor cost of animal cruelty Feb. 19. He was additionally ordered to serve 12 months of probation and 20 days of group labor, and to finish a 24-session animal cruelty counseling program, the California Division of Fish and Wildlife mentioned in a information launch.
Authorities acted after a video posted on-line confirmed Cesar Gustavo Diaz pouring an alcoholic beverage into the hawk’s mouth.
(California Division of Fish and Wildlife)
Diaz captured the juvenile hawk at Amelia Mayberry Park in South Whittier in June 2025 and poured the alcoholic beverage into its mouth, authorities mentioned. In line with its web site, a BuzzBall accommodates about 15% alcohol.
One other clip posted to YouTube confirmed the fowl with a joint in its mouth, mentioned Trevor Pell, a lieutenant specialist with the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s legislation enforcement division, who investigated the case.
“This reality sample is certainly an uncommon one,” Pell mentioned. “We cope with violations relating to raptors and birds of prey on a relative frequency however I haven’t seen something to this degree of disregard for the animal in fairly some time.”
Individuals who noticed the YouTube video alerted state wildlife officers, prompting the investigation. Diaz is a convicted felon and was already in custody on unrelated expenses on the time, and he launched the hawk earlier than he was charged, investigators mentioned.
He’s since been launched from custody after receiving credit score for time served, Pell mentioned.
Diaz can be prohibited from possessing animals for 5 years, and from possessing firearms for 10 years, in response to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Cooper’s hawks are protected underneath the federal Migratory Chook Treaty Act, in addition to state legislation, which protects all raptors.
Nick Buckler, captain of the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s particular operations unit, credited members of the general public with bringing the video to the eye of investigators.
“One thing like this, which is comparatively weird and surprising to the conscience of the general public, typically involves our unit, and we comply with up in this type of style,” he mentioned, “so we actually admire the guidelines.”
