I have always thought about opening this thread yet it sounds a bit wacky. There are a number of medium to large sized birds in the UK which can hunt, scavenge and even rob other birds of their food. They are usually of open or partially wooded areas and range from 50cm in length to 75cm.
In the raptor family you have birds like Buzzards, Red Kites which not only hunt but will scavenge and within the case of the Kite it will also rob other birds of food.
Then you have Gulls. The larger Gulls such as the beast-like Greater-Black Backed Gull and the slightly smaller Hering and Lesser Black-Backed Gull also perform all 3 functions - hunting, scavenge from tips and carcasses and robbing other birds of their food. In fact the Greater Black back is described as havig more in common with raptors than Gulls.
If one can include Gulls then its only fair to include larger Corvids such as Raven, Carrion Crows. They also can hunt other prey, scavenge and rob other birds.
If one includes Gulls then one bird which is good at harrassing Gulls out there - the Skua. Skuas are also very agressive and can hunt and rob other birds - I assume they would start feeding from a large carcass if got the chance?
I would love to see some of the larger members of these birds assemble at carrion carcasses especially those of a similar size ie red kite, buzzard, raven , greater-black backed gulls, herring and lesser black backed gulls, arctic skuas - how would these species interact with each other and especially at a carcass. I wonder if anyione has ever been lucky enough to see most of these species present in one area together.
I have not included eagles in this as they are much larger. Goshawks are more forest species and have been known to prey on those other birds barring red kite im guessing. Peregrines and hen harriers are probably more hunter.
Would love to hear your experiences and anything you can pull out.
In the raptor family you have birds like Buzzards, Red Kites which not only hunt but will scavenge and within the case of the Kite it will also rob other birds of food.
Then you have Gulls. The larger Gulls such as the beast-like Greater-Black Backed Gull and the slightly smaller Hering and Lesser Black-Backed Gull also perform all 3 functions - hunting, scavenge from tips and carcasses and robbing other birds of their food. In fact the Greater Black back is described as havig more in common with raptors than Gulls.
If one can include Gulls then its only fair to include larger Corvids such as Raven, Carrion Crows. They also can hunt other prey, scavenge and rob other birds.
If one includes Gulls then one bird which is good at harrassing Gulls out there - the Skua. Skuas are also very agressive and can hunt and rob other birds - I assume they would start feeding from a large carcass if got the chance?
I would love to see some of the larger members of these birds assemble at carrion carcasses especially those of a similar size ie red kite, buzzard, raven , greater-black backed gulls, herring and lesser black backed gulls, arctic skuas - how would these species interact with each other and especially at a carcass. I wonder if anyione has ever been lucky enough to see most of these species present in one area together.
I have not included eagles in this as they are much larger. Goshawks are more forest species and have been known to prey on those other birds barring red kite im guessing. Peregrines and hen harriers are probably more hunter.
Would love to hear your experiences and anything you can pull out.
