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Did you know crows, yes the bird, are one of the top user/maker of tools in the animal kingdom. I read an article about similar neurons found in human and animal brains which points to certain animals having a greater self awareness than many previous thought. That doesn't surprise me but I didn't realize crow's are so smart.
On a similar not have you heard that Seagulls are being persecuted and demonized over here?
Seagulls have recently killed a little dog and a turtle. the prime minister wants a serious discussion about the subject.
David Cameron on seagulls: We need to have a 'big conversation' about aggressive birds - UK Politics - UK - The Independent
Damn, I had no idea that was an issue for you guys. How the hell does a bird like seagulls become protected. We consider them a general nuisance here as well. I had no idea they would attack a dog. Were they trying to make a meal out of the poor dog. In cases like this the cuter animal will have the people's support so I fear for the well being of British seagulls.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
We have ravens here they are smart as.We were watching Game of thrones a few months back and walked outside for a break to watch the sun go down and about a thousand you couldnt count them flew up a valley then circled us over head once and flew off,we were in silence watching them just been watching the crow tribe on GOT too :D The whole lot were following just a few,maybe even just one or two.Cant imagine where they'd been or where they were going ,we got hundreds round here noisy bastards but they also shut up and leave if I yell at them of go fitttzzz real loud at them.
This past winter I put up a bird feeder. I was looking out my living room window in the midst of a very harsh blizzard and saw a number of birds who looked quite miserable. The next day I got said feeder. It has lead me to study birds. Amazing creatures really. I'm very partial to a group of doves that has claimed the feeder. I've yet to see a dove by itself, when one is at the feeder the other is either with it or within eyesight. I've learned cardinals are very picky and only seem to show up for one particular brand of birdseed which is also the mist expensive. I was spending ten bucks a week so I could see the cardinals but even with top of the line feed they weren't coming that often. I just got a forty pound bag so that should last me at least a month. I do get crows now and again but they have terrible manners. They swing the feeder back and forth getting the seed everywhere. The doves are a very respectful lot. When the feeder is swarmed they back off and let the other birds get there full and when it settles down they are back at it. Very nicely behaved birds but they are notorious carriers of diseases. If you find a lot of doves at your feeder it is recommended you clean it with bleach from time to time.
I have developed a feeling of guilt since acquiring my bird feeder. I try my best to keep it full but currently I work over forty hours in a three day span and at certain points I'm so rundown I can't always keep that feeder full. My wife refuses to touch the feeder so it is a burden I must face alone. This is something I'm trying to work on, these feelings that some bird might be starving because I'm to tired to fill the thing. Don't these birds know that someone has to work to put feed in the feeder. It's like a welfare state in my front yard. And my wife always wanting to cut the budget. She says the birds will do fine on their own and I am enabling them.
I can tell you with my limited research that Robins are the bully of the feeder. They will peck the other welfare recipients right of of the Que. They are nasty birds. Something tells me they feel they are much better than the other birds. Some birds stand up to them but I haven't seen any win against them yet. The doves fly right off as soon as the Robins show up, the doves aint dumb. They know what time it is. Something tells me the doves would get a job if they could. They are lovely birds. I've also seen males trying to woo the females with these intricate little dances they do. It is a very involved active dance move. Very impressive. I don't know how long birds fornicate for but I think the dance alone would've wiped me out.
It was atiny pet dog which was killed by seagulls in front of traumatised three-year-old.
Seagulls kill a pet dog in front of a toddler | UK | News | Daily Express
My my my you have an involved curiosity and interest about birds. A h.s. friend of mine named Joe Papendick has spent his life designing really cool bird feeders. Check him out. Just type his name into yahoo. Maybe you'll enjoy his stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by walrus
Elephants have slowly returned to Angola after the countries civil war. For many years elephants were being blown up by the many landmines left after the war. Scientists recently observed elephants have learned how to sniff out landmines and can navigate a minefield. They also transmit this knowledge to other elephants. They did this own there own with no human training, pretty darn amazing.