I was watching a Juvenile Blackbird as it kept flying half way up the front wall of my shed. I thought - why is it trying to get in there? After about four attempts I found out why as it landed with a small slug in its beak. It must have good eyesight as the slug was virtually the same colour as the shed. Once the bird had grabbed the slug it then stood on the concrete busily wiping the slug backwards and forwards for quite a while before finally eating it. The video starts where the Blackbird is wiping the slug on the ground.
I wonder why they do that. Can it be to kill it? Maybe to wipe off the slime if it is not a nice taste. Whatever the reason I have seen Blackbirds perform this action on many occasions over the years.
While we on our afternoon perambulation I was pleased to spot a juvenile Song Thrush in a front garden. It is nice to know they are breeding round here.
On the weather front it has been a warm, humid day even though the Sun didn't break through the clouds until about 3.30pm. At least that stopped it from getting excessively hot though it did look pretty dismal for a lot of the day.
That's just wonderful! At first I thought it might be tenderizing the slug, but I think you are right about the slime. It's nasty stuff and even takes quite a bit of washing with soap and water to get off my hands. What a clever blackbird!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting behavior and great to catch it on video.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece of observation John. And to get it so clearly on video too. He made short work of it once the preperation was done.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very fascinating video John (I never thought I would feel sorry for a slug but I couldn't help it!) Unlike you I have never seen that behaviour before, or if I have I wasn't close enough to take it in properly.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see a juvenile Song Thrush, I do hope their numbers increase again.
A very amusing clip, yes I've noticed this behaviour, never thought about it till now. I'll watch and see if they do it with earth worms.
ReplyDeleteI agree Matron, the slime is difficult to remove - now you know how - just rub your hands on the garden path for a minute. :) It is sometimes surprising how different birds use different strategies to overcome problems.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mick. I find watching everyday creatures fascinating - must be the second childhood syndrome.
ReplyDeleteThank you Keith. For the first year I had the camcorder I think I used it once. I bought this particular model for its 30x optical zoom so I can often get nice close shots of any action. Now it is set up in the kitchen most of the day - just in case. There are so many little pieces of everyday behaviour I find fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan. I can't say I felt sorry for the slug. I just thought of the damage to my Hostas :)
ReplyDeleteI think we miss a lot of bird and animal behaviour as we just look and think - oh that Blackbird is eating a slug. I know I used to until having the cameras and maintaining a blog concentrated my attention of the detail more.
There seem to be lots of young birds of all sorts about so it must have been a good Spring for them.
Hi Adrian. I can't say I've noticed the same with earthworms though Blackbirds do seem to take a while before they get round to swallowing them. It will be interesting to see what they are actually doing.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I've never seen a bird do that over here. Maybe he is tenderizing the little morsel, but probably as you suggested, he's getting rid of the nasty slime! Smart little bird!
ReplyDelete