A team of ornithologists were working on a small Moroccan island when they observed some rather bizarre behaviour in grownup falcon . The raptors appeared to be imprisoning tiny razz in the crevasses of rocks in an effort to keep them fresh for a previous repast .
Asreportedin New Scientist , University of Rabat ornithologistAbdeljebbar Qninbawas doing subject area workplace on the free Moroccan island of Mogador in 2014 when he noticed a figure of small birds stuck in deep pit . On penny-pinching review , he noticed that the helpless birds had their flying and tail end feathers absent . They could n’t move their wing or use their dangling legs . The birds appeared terrified , and sought any chance to escape .
In Qninba ’s ensuing story , which can be found at the science journalAlauda , he theorize that — in what is an apparent example of nonhuman animal farming — the falcon were deliberately store the shuttle as a means of maintain live , fresh prey . This behavior may allow falcon parents to stay near their nest , and still have a meal near by to sustain their offspring . It ’s also possible that the falcons are turn over their young chicks an chance to down their own quarry .
More observations are needed , but it appear that the falcons are storing their prey for at least a day or two . Qninba says that the hoot were trapped before the falcon ’ eggs had hatch , and that local fisher have bang about the drill for decades .
This is the first prison term that this mode of depredation has ever been honor in Eleonora ’s Falcons , or any raptor for that matter . But as the New Scientist clause indicate out , some scientists are n’t purchase Qninba ’s explanation , arguing that there is n’t enough evidence to confirm that the birds are being held captive by the falcon :
Rob Simmonsof the University of Cape Town in South Africa is skeptical . “ I do n’t consider a falcon has the cognitive power to ‘ store ’ fair game like this , ” he says . “ I think the snort ’ target may simply be escaping and finding resort . ” Raptors often start cull their prey before they shoot down them , so the injured fowl may but be escapees .
Other mintage have been observed to hire in this type of behavior , includingshikes who transfix their living quarry on irritant or briary telegram , andshrews who apply their spite to paralyze mice , which are then devoured slowly .
[ novel Scientist|Ornithomedia ]
BiologyBirdsOrnithologyPreyScience
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