The 24 Mar 1964 LAT listed the film among upcoming projects for producer Ivan Tors, to be released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM). The film remained in limbo until the following year, when the 10 Nov 1965 LAT announced it as the screen debut of comedian Soupy Sales, for release by Columbia Pictures. Although the picture marked Sales’s first starring role, he had already appeared in The Two Little Bears (1961, see entry), and Critic’s Choice (1963, see entry). Principal photography began in Miami, FL, on 15 Nov 1965, as stated in 19 Nov 1965 DV production charts. The 27 Nov 1965 LAT noted that bandleader Ray Anthony, who had an engagement at the nearby Carlton Hotel, was cast in a “cameo role.” Two weeks into filming, the 29 Nov 1965 LAT reported that the production was moving to Hollywood, FL, for exterior scenes.
       Casting announcements included Charles Wrenn, Bill Hawkes, and Florence Gull (22 Nov 1965 DV); Mal Jones and Gilbert Faye (30 Nov 1965 LAT); Ray Samuels, Eric Applewhite, and Robertson White (10 Dec 1965 DV). Various sources have noted cameo appearances by Dean Martin and Groucho Marx.
       Sales complained to the 6 Dec 1965 DV about the atypically cold Florida weather. He was currently awaiting a break in production so he could videotape new episodes of his weekday television series, The Soupy Sales Show (WNEW, 1964 – 1966), in New York City. Four days later, the 10 Dec 1965 DV reported that the shooting schedule was temporarily rearranged to accommodate co-star Arthur O’Connell, who was stricken with influenza. Meanwhile, cast member Burt Taylor was dividing his time between the picture and a singing engagement at the Miami Playboy Club, as noted in the 7 Dec 1965 DV.
       On 6 Jul 1966, Var reported that Ivan Tors and Columbia were preparing television trailers at the producer’s Miami studio. According to the 24 Aug 1966 Var, Sales had embarked on a promotional tour to coincide with the film’s release. Birds Do It opened 21 Dec 1966 at thirty locations in Los Angeles, CA, on a double bill with The Professionals (1966, see entry). The 28 Jul 1966 DV commended Sales’s performance, despite a weak script. Box office reports in the 19 Oct 1966 Var indicate a positive public response in Toronto, Canada. The picture continued its theatrical run into the following year, according to the 22 Mar 1967 Var.