I am not sure why this is fascinating, but it is fascinating.
Maybe it is because this gull is just evolving from scavenger to hunter in the middle of a public park. But in Antarctica and the maritime Arctic, the primary bird predator is the skua (and chances are they started out like this).
It is also shouldn't be that surprising, raccoons are very similar (they like to scavenge, but will gladly kill chickens and smaller animals when given the chance). Many omnivorous birds prey on smaller birds and mammals far more than we realize.
It is also shouldn't be that surprising, raccoons are very similar (they like to scavenge, but will gladly kill chickens and smaller animals when given the chance). Many omnivorous birds prey on smaller birds and mammals far more than we realize.
Then again, I have a feeling this seagull picked the wrong target...
Watched a gull pick a bat out of the air and swallow it without landing.
ReplyDeleteThis happened in the daytime and over a lake so the bat was without options.