[obol] ability of birds to carry prey

[Dan Gleason]

As Larry and others have said, weight is not the only factor to  
consider about a bird's ability to carry prey. Golden Eagles cannot  
carry away sheep, as some ranchers would have you believe, but many  
birds can carry loads equal to or greater than their own weight.  
Perhaps the best example that I can think of is Great Horned Owl.  
Large females can weigh a little over 3.5 pounds. They frequently  
prey on skunks, and adult skunks range in weight from 4.5 pounds to  
nearly 10 pounds. Even the smallest adults exceed the weights of  
Great Horned Owls.

Dan Gleason
-------------
Dan Gleason
dan-gleason at comcast.net
541 345-0450


On Oct 8, 2007, at 3:54 PM, Larry McQueen wrote:

> I have also observed Pygmy Owls carrying heavy loads, including  
> robin-sized
> Turdus in tropical Trinidad.  I have also observed a Northern  
> Shrike flying
> with a House Finch held in its beak, and another flying with a  
> House Finch
> in its feet.  One would have thought the load placement would be an
> important factor in aerodynamics, but both flew unencumbered.
>
> Considering shrikes, I'm reminded that we used to see migrant  
> LOGGERHEAD
> SHRIKES around Eugene during March and April nearly annually,  
> especially
> during the 70s.  This seems to have stopped, in spite of the much  
> increased
> birding today, or have I missed the reports?
>
> Larry
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu
> [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of pamela  
> johnston
> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 10:26 AM
> To: obol
> Subject: [obol] ability of birds to carry prey
>
> While I don't want to debate the Sharp-shinned Hawk load capacity,  
> I would
> like to say that birds are stronger than we expect. If the burden  
> is inert,
> that's a bit easier.
>
> I once watched a Gray Jay fly away with a peanut butter and jam  
> sandwich on
> large slices of bread which must have outweighed it. It kept a grip  
> on it
> and cleared the ground, but its flight was low and sagging. They're
> motivated!
>
> Pamela Johnston
>
>
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