[obol] ability of birds to carry prey

[Darrel Faxon]

Donna,

    Oh, for a comma!  I always wondered if Tim Shelmerdine was a red-neck, 
but Donna, I'm surprised you had the courage to put it in print!

Darrel
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna Lusthoff" <dlbird at earthlink.net>
To: "'Larry McQueen'" <larmcqueen at msn.com>
Cc: "'OBOL'" <obol at lists.orst.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 9:16 PM
Subject: Re: [obol] ability of birds to carry prey


> Years ago, Tim Shelmerdine and I were looking for a bird (kingbird?) in
> the Nehalem area.
> It had rained heavily, and there were puddles on the road at the Nehalem
> Sewage Ponds.
> We came upon a Phalarope (Red-necked Tim?) that obviously wasn't feeling
> well, as it was trying to swim in the puddle.
> About that time, a N SHRIKE flew in from somewhere. It reached down,
> picked up the Phalarope with its feet, then flew over a wire fence and
> disappeared into the vegetation.
> Tim decided to try to find it, but couldn't locate it.
>
> That was WEIRD! I thought Shrike feet weren't very strong.
>
> Donna Lusthoff
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu
> [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Larry McQueen
> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 3:54 PM
> To: 'obol'
> Subject: Re: [obol] ability of birds to carry prey
>
> 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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