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Gulls as Predators
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Gulls as Predators
- From: MDWitzell@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2001 12:36:47 EDT
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
Some time ago there were a number of postings to the listserv on the subject
of gulls as predators. As I recall these all involved gulls attacking
waterfowl in the water, and in one case, an owl sitting on an ice floe.
Yesterday I observed a lone Ring-billed Gull pursuing a Kingfisher, which was
frantically trying to evade it. Fortunately, it was able to reach the safety
of a tree and the gull veered off. Has anyone else observed gulls pursuing
landbirds on the wing? Does anyone have any idea of how a gull would be able
to successfully capture a landbird in flight, since it lacks the talons of a
bird of prey?
Dianne Witzell
High Point, NC
mdwitzell@aol.com