Credit: techly.com.au
Just when you thought the animals in Australia couldn't get any deadlier..
I just read a story in the National Post that says researchers down under believe Black Kites (Milvus migrans) have evolved to learn how to spread wildfires themselves in order to chase out prey from the burning brush.
Credit: Bob Gosford
Apparently aboriginals have witnessed and talked about it for years but now American and Aussie scientists are trying to determine if this is infact the case.
Credit: capricorncoastbirds.au
A firefighter recently said he witnessed these birds swooping down and picking up burning sticks and then transporting them to new locations to spread the fire. He was busy putting out spot fires while the birds were spreading it to other areas 😂 kinda hilarious but still crazy!
Birds are known for their amazing predatory instincts and have commonly been observed waiting on the outskirts of forest and brush fires for prey to scurry out, but if these Black Kites are actually helping to increase and spread the flames this could be a worlds first. They would join humans as the only species to weaponize fire.
I love my Aussie friends but your country and the animals that inhabit it are scary as shit!
Thanks for reading,
Maybe the animals are playing the long game and really they have it all figured out and this is the beginning of the end ::shrugs::
I always found it neat how when I'm walking down the street a gang of seagulls will never attack me even tho they probably could. It's just not built into their instincts to realize they could do it in certain spots. We're really just one domino away from everything changing as far as I can figure! :p
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Actually, it does happen.
I don't know about the Black Kites but I have seen the Whistling Kites swooping into fires and coming out with smoldering branches or coals.
Probably more a case of missing the prey they were targeting and then dumping it when they realised what it was, or it got too hot!
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If I've learned anything from the TV, it's that everything in Australia will kill you.... Oh, look at the adorable Koala... Well, it'll claw your face off...oh, just wook at da wittle kangawoo, well, It'll kick your balls in!. Frig, I think I like Australia almost as much as Canada!
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Koala's won't claw your face off, but they'll give you the clap
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160211-half-of-australias-koalas-now-have-chlamydia
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To be fair I think we have the two best countries on this planet. Don't let the Americans find out this..
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That is true. But, around me we have puma, bears and Timberwolves, they can all kill me, but in Australia, they would shoot acid from their eyes! Lol
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The only thing that'll kill you here in Canada is the friggin cold!
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O fuck you’re funny fat-e!
🤣🤣🤣
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I'm just gonna go and watch some wildlife in Aussie land.... Said no sane person ever. As if all the other shit wasn't enough now the birds will probably try and drop fire on your ass.... 🤣🤣
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Yeah and they have drop bears that jump out of the trees and feast on your face!
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Those birds would think it was hilarious until I knocked them out of the sky with my fire hose. evil laugh if this turns out to true that is incredible. I wonder if pre-man, this was just part of the circle of life and nature's way to help spread fires to restart new growth and get rid of all the dead undergrowth. Hmm.
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That's some scary stuff. Bird's starting fires! Who would have thought that was possible. I'm thinking twice about visiting the land of Oz!
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Dont leave the airport if you do, everything there is trying to kill u! Lol
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The myth of the phoenix comes from ravens. Ravens have been known to pick up lit cigarettes or sticks that are burning. They are attracted the the glow. The bring them to their nest which then ignites. The myth of the fire bird is born.
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That's funny I was thinking of the Phoenix aswell when I was reading the article
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Here I am watching out for stupid magpies swooping down on me... now I have to make sure these killer black kites ain't throwing flaming sticks upon me 😮🔥
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Wait, they may learn to launch drop bears at you next! 😱
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This post very nice..Travel is great..I like animals ..Thanks for sharing this post ..
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Imagine if the birds decide there us a betterfood supply in the cities!
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Yeah it's only a matter of time 😁
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Insert Jurrasic Park Reference:
"Clever Girl"
You know, the first Jurrasic Park movie. The one with the best one-liners and overall cast. That JP reference ☺️
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Laughing my ass off here! That's the funniest bird story since crows started sliding down slides
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@goldenarms. If they can weaponize fire like Man. Waiting for when they become firefighters.
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