Birds of prey are starting fires deliberately
Researchers believe that birds of prey have been deliberately starting bush fires in order to hunt animals that are fleeing.
At least two birds of prey, black kites and brown falcons have been observed swooping on burning twigs and embers and carrying them to unburnt parts of the bush.
The birds then capture large insects, frogs and animals that are trying to escape the fire.
Scientists think that birds of prey could be ‘a third force’ that is capable of starting bus fires. The other forces are man and lightening strikes.
Bob Gosford, a lawyer who works with indigenous peoples, and Mark Bonta, a scientist from Penn State have compiled a study of reports of flames jumping fire breaks, which have occurred because of the intervention of wild birds.
Speaking to the IFL Science website Gosford said: “Reptiles, frogs and insects rush out from the fire, and there are birds that wait in front, right at the foot of the fire, waiting to catch them.
“Small fires often attract so many birds that there is insufficient fleeing prey for all, so a bird that was being beaten to its food might benefit from starting a new fire with less competition.”
The researchers found numerous accounts from aboriginal people, several firefighters and numerous bush rangers who reported birds carrying burning sticks.
The witnesses described how birds could carry smoldering sticks at least 150ft (46 metres) without the fire going out or singeing the bird.
Steve Debus, from the University of New England is an expert in predatory birds. He told the Daily Mail that it would be difficult for researchers to distinguish between birds incidentally grasping burning twigs with prey and those deliberately picking them up.
“However, I think black kites and brown falcons are sufficiently intelligent to intentionally spread fires by dropping burning embers, because black kites have been seen to drop bread scraps from picnic areas into nearby waterholes to bait fish within striking range.’ Dr Debus said.
Both brown falcons and black kites are widespread in Australia.
You may also like
