Birds Eye

Birds Eye is a sativa-leaning strain that may look somewhat familiar to many experienced cannabis consumers. Created by Canadian breeders Tweed, Inc., this strain is a distinct phenotype of perennial favorite Jack Herer is similarly made up of genetics from Northern Lights, Shiva Skunk, and Haze. Like Jack Herer, Birds Eye has a fruity, citrus-tinged aroma and a well-rounded high. Its THC content has been measured at between 16% and 25%.

Birds Eye is marked by medium-sized flowers that hold a spadelike shape, tapering down from a broad base into a pointed tip. These buds have an indica-typical silhouette, with their leaves densely packed in compact bundles. The leaves themselves are a dark shade of forest green and are wound through with vivid orange hairs (which are actually pistils, botanical structures meant to catch pollen from would-be fertilizing male plants). Finally, white trichomes make these buds very sticky and cause them to appear pale and dewy when viewed from a distance.

When properly cured, Birds Eye’s well-formed flowers give off a punchy orange scent. There’s also an undeniable hint of fresh pine hanging out underneath. Grinding up or breaking open the flowers yields peppery and herbal notes, likely passed on from Haze. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, Birds Eyes burns with a very smooth smoke. This smoke offers the pleasant taste of pine mixed with citrus on the exhale.

Birds Eye takes effect within short order, putting a pressure on consumers’ temples and forehead. Some smokers may also feel a sudden flush in the cheeks. At the same time, the strain introduces a new mental clarity, focusing consumers’ thoughts on ideas or on external stimuli that might not otherwise capture their attention. Inner (as well as some outer) monologues can become freewheeling, jumping in free association from one topic to the next. In such conditions, those under Birds Eye’s influence may find themselves equipped to take on work-related tasks involving analysis or problem-solving. Birds Eye can also open up imaginative pathways, helping to facilitate creative projects or brainstorms. As the high wears on, some subtle feelings of physical relaxation set in and can cause some users to feel slightly dizzy or sluggish; if they aren’t already sitting down, many may want to seek out the closest couch. Fortunately, though, this strain’s body high does not come at the expense of its cerebral energy. Even as they kick back, smokers are typically able to maintain a lucid train of thought or carry on conversations. For these reasons, Birds Eye can be a very good strain to share in buzzy social settings with some close friends. If the dosage is increased, beware that this strain can cloud any previously clear-eyed thinking, replacing it with daydreaming and couchlock. Because of its gradual decrease in energy, Birds Eye is recommended for consumption between the afternoon and evening.

Birds Eye can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. Its balanced, easygoing effects may temporarily improve the symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. It can also help relieve physical pain, both chronic and mild. For some, the strain can even work against insomnia, lulling them into a fulfilling sleep. Because its early feelings of cerebral “mindrace” can prove overwhelming in the wrong set and setting, those who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance should consume Birds Eye with some caution and moderation.

Seeds of Birds Eye do not seem to be available for sale online. As such, prospective growers should seek out clippings of the strain from a trusted source. There is no information available regarding best practices for growing this specific strain, but given its close genetic relation to Jack Herer, we can extrapolate that it can be grown indoors or outdoors in a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. Its similarity to Jack Herer also suggests that this strain flowers within 10 weeks when grown indoors and is ready for harvest in mid to late October when grown outdoors.

Birds Eye has a versatile high and a universally appealing flavor that makes it especially fun to share with others. Tweed, Inc. also manufactures the strain as a tincture, allowing for oral absorption and a more gradual onset.