NationStates Jolt Archive

Children aghast as pelican swallows pigeon whole

Families strolling through a London park were left shocked when a pelican picked up and swallowed an unsuspecting pigeon.

The Eastern White pelican struggled with the desperately frantic pigeon in its beak for more than 20 minutes before swallowing it whole.

The moment was caught on camera by photographer Cathal McNaughton, who was taking pictures of the wildlife in St James's Park.

The pigeon was still alive when it reached the pelican's stomach, he said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=412374&in_page_id=1770&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=picbox&ct=5

Shocked? Aghast???

Is education in the UK so bas that these people didn't know that animals eat each other?

Idiots.

(At least it wasn't Poisoning Pigeons in the Park (http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/pigeons.htm) a la Tom Lehrer...)

I don't think MTV tells us about the animal kingdom. Besides, seeing the circle of life might frighten the kiddies.

Just wait till the tiger get out...

Were these people vegetarian? That probably would explain it.

Nobody thinks it's odd that a Pelican is eating pigeons? Sure, animals eat each other, but pigeons? I thought they only ate fish.

Yeah, what kind of suicidal loon eats a pigeon?

It can't possibly be worth twenty minutes struggle to eat a pigeon.

Nobody thinks it's odd that a Pelican is eating pigeons? Sure, animals eat each other, but pigeons? I thought they only ate fish.

Thats, what I was thinking.

I saw a cat eat brown processed-grain pellets once. True story.

Are you sure they didnt just mean that people were very suprised to see it happen in a park, and that they're just exaggerating? im sure schools still teach that animals eat other animals, at least for the moment...

Were these people vegetarian? That probably would explain it.

Some may have been, but I doubt most were. Most people today are just suffering a self imposed ignorance of "nature red in tooth and claw" and all that jazz.

It's rather like a Japanese friend's reaction to first learing that my brother raises and slaughters his own meat animals, and that I've helped him do it. She got all upset. Then I pointed out that the steak she was eating came from an animal that was most likely the result of much crueler industrialized farming and slaughterhouses. Then she really got pissed because I'd pointed out her hypocrisy.

Eeeew! That would mean the pelican ate that pigeon's feathers, and beak, and feet ... and feathers ....

Yuuuuuck!

Actually, I think I would be pretty freaked out too... (http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2006/10/7890/)

Everybody should be forced to watch "Built for the kill" so they can see how brutal the animal world is. Some of those insects are really crazy.

Actually, I think I would be pretty freaked out too... (http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2006/10/7890/)

I don't know it sounds like most of the people were laughing, realy didn't seem any worse than a snake eating a mouse.

"Do not feed pigeons while dressed in pelican suits."

I don't know it sounds like most of the people were laughing, realy didn't seem any worse than a snake eating a mouse.
Well, besides the fact that mice are among snakes natural prey and pelicans eat fish.

wasn't there a story years ago about an otter that was rescued from an oil spill... it was cleaned up, healed, rehabilitated, and even named. With great fanfare with tv cameras and all... it was released back into the wild... only to be swallowed up by an orca... right on national TV.

Erm...I honestly don't believe these people were shocked to realise that animals eat each other. But you'd have to acertain how old the children were, if they were very young it would probably be shocking to see.

When you're walking in the park you don't really expect to see a pelican (I thought they only ate fish?) eating a pidgeon, I've never seen that happen. I wouldn't be "aghast", too strong a word, but it would certainly be suprising...does that make me stupid?

Not really news worthy though, then again it is the daily mail. :rolleyes:

Animals eat each other all the time. It's odd, but no reason to be "aghast". :rolleyes:

Nobody thinks it's odd that a Pelican is eating pigeons? Sure, animals eat each other, but pigeons? I thought they only ate fish.

Nope. Odd, maybe, but not at all unheard of.


Pelicans mainly eat fish, but they are opportunistic feeders and eat a variety of aquatic animals including crustaceans, tadpoles and turtles. They readily accept 'handouts' from humans, and a number of unusual items have been recorded in their diet. During periods of starvation, pelicans have been reported capturing and eating seagulls and ducklings. The gulls are held under water and drowned before being eaten headfirst. Pelicans will also rob other birds of their prey.
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/australian_pelican.htm



Are you sure they didnt just mean that people were very suprised to see it happen in a park, and that they're just exaggerating? im sure schools still teach that animals eat other animals, at least for the moment...

Maybe it's just my upbringing (hunting, fishing, and birdwatching were regular activities growing up), but I would not at all be surprised to see it.

Actually, I think I would be pretty freaked out too... (http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2006/10/7890/)

I notice that the people filming it are laughing...

wasn't there a story years ago about an otter that was rescued from an oil spill... it was cleaned up, healed, rehabilitated, and even named. With great fanfare with tv cameras and all... it was released back into the wild... only to be swallowed up by an orca... right on national TV.

Someone has GOT to find a video of that, That just sounds haliarious!

Just between you and me, I don't think that pigeon had been drowned.

Eeeew! That would mean the pelican ate that pigeon's feathers, and beak, and feet ... and feathers ....

Yuuuuuck!

Avian stomach acids are far more concentrated than our own. The pelican would do a good job of dissolving most of the grottier bits.

Erm...I honestly don't believe these people were shocked to realise that animals eat each other. But you'd have to acertain how old the children were, if they were very young it would probably be shocking to see.

That's one reason I think most parents are horrible - they're happy to let their kids eat all kinds of dead things, but too gutless to actually tell their kids where the food comes from - and when they do, like the Mother who told her kids, whilst looking at chickens, that they would most likely be killed and eaten, it makes headlines. And then there's the lies about "Santa Claus". Ridiculous.

We should totally teach children to run-down and spit-roast wild boar now that they've been reintroduced to the British isles. Then the animals could live free (for a bit), and nobody would be surprised by... well, pretty much anything, after seeing a child wrestle a hairy pig, anyway. And folk would get a bit of exercise.

Eeeew! That would mean the pelican ate that pigeon's feathers, and beak, and feet ... and feathers ....

Well yes. What did you expect?

Yuuuuuck!

Not at all.

Actually, I think I would be pretty freaked out too... (http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2006/10/7890/)

Cool. Thanks for finding that.

"Do not feed pigeons while dressed in pelican suits."


Well, besides the fact that mice are among snakes natural prey and pelicans eat fish.

See above.

wasn't there a story years ago about an otter that was rescued from an oil spill... it was cleaned up, healed, rehabilitated, and even named. With great fanfare with tv cameras and all... it was released back into the wild... only to be swallowed up by an orca... right on national TV.

Ah that old chestnut. It's an Urban Legend. The original version was two seals rehabilitated at great expense after the Exxon-Valdez oil spill were released, only to be eaten by sharks.

http://www.snopes.com/humor/lists/fakenews.htm

We should totally teach children to run-down and spit-roast wild boar now that they've been reintroduced to the British isles. Then the animals could live free (for a bit), and nobody would be surprised by... well, pretty much anything, after seeing a child wrestle a hairy pig, anyway. And folk would get a bit of exercise.

I support this endeavor and/or campaign.

HEY COME BACK TO EE BECAUSE IT IS BORING THERE.

Someone has GOT to find a video of that, That just sounds haliarious!

Doesn't exist.

Just between you and me, I don't think that pigeon had been drowned.

That said the gulls were drowned, not all birds.

That's one reason I think most parents are horrible - they're happy to let their kids eat all kinds of dead things, but too gutless to actually tell their kids where the food comes from - and when they do, like the Mother who told her kids, whilst looking at chickens, that they would most likely be killed and eaten, it makes headlines. And then there's the lies about "Santa Claus". Ridiculous.

Indeed. And that's not to mention the Disney-fication of nature, in which good animals live in peace and harmony and only the evil ones ever attack other animals.

This simply proves how weak the Human race is getting. First they begin to censorship and let children grow up ignorant and dumb. Then they teach them how all violence is wrong. Then they start giving them all participation trouphies and awards for doing simple tasks. Then they outlaw tag... before you know it their ripe for the plucking. We should return to spartan ways of living.

It's rather like a Japanese friend's reaction to first learing that my brother raises and slaughters his own meat animals, and that I've helped him do it. She got all upset. Then I pointed out that the steak she was eating came from an animal that was most likely the result of much crueler industrialized farming and slaughterhouses. Then she really got pissed because I'd pointed out her hypocrisy.
Shhhh... You're not supposed to point out to people that what they are eating is the same cute animals they collect pictures of...

Unless said person is Japanese and eating fish, then they may not only know it was alive, but are posiably eating it alive. ;)

Of course those people can freak out. A friggin pelican just ate a pigeon. Okay, it's happens, but who among you can honestly tell me their teacher or parents told them pelicans ate anything other than fish?

You people are all missing the point. Those viewers wouldn't have been "aghast" to see a cat eating a mouse or frog eating a fly or cheetah eating a gazelle... because that's normal and expected.

This incident would be like watching a rhino swallow a giraffe, in that it is not common knowledge (for all I know, maybe rhinos do swallow giraffes.)

And folk would get a bit of exercise.

If by "exercise" you mean "die horribly once the boar eviscerates them and begins to eat their guts" then yes. Yes they would.

We should totally teach children to run-down and spit-roast wild boar now that they've been reintroduced to the British isles. Then the animals could live free (for a bit), and nobody would be surprised by... well, pretty much anything, after seeing a child wrestle a hairy pig, anyway. And folk would get a bit of exercise.

Ha, dude, that is hilarious. Got to find a place to sig that...

Cool. Thanks for finding that.

No, thank you for the snopes link ;)

That said the gulls were drowned, not all birds.

If the pigeon is not part of the natural prey of the pelican, why would it not drown it? It looks like a gull, so logically, if the bird if made of wood, it's a witch!

...oh, wait, no, wrong argument. To the pelican, the pigeon looks like a gull, so it would probably attempt the same tactics.

This incident would be like watching a rhino swallow a giraffe, in that it is not common knowledge (for all I know, maybe rhinos do swallow giraffes.)

Your post is not only clear-cutting and decisive, but utterly rofl-inducing. Congratulations.

I support this endeavor and/or campaign.

HEY COME BACK TO EE BECAUSE IT IS BORING THERE.

Ahh! WTrostiaF? You're still alive, eh?

I just mentioned EE in another thread on this forum, started by my own self, in fact, for I am leaving NS (much against my will). Off to Aus, y'see, and no idea when I'll regain net access.

But, if I get a computer while I'm there, I'll probably come back (to EE), to be honest. Enough down-time has passed, now.

If by "exercise" you mean "die horribly once the boar eviscerates them and begins to eat their guts" then yes. Yes they would.

That would totally sharpen-up the other children, though, eh?

I've heard it said that evolution may be slowed by our modern technology, and the fact that too many people are surviving. Pissing-off a wild bore has to be a great incentive to do something you've never previously done, even if it is just climb-a-tree-and-wet-yourself-until-it-knocks-itself-out-on-the-trunk.

That would totally sharpen-up the other children, though, eh?

I've heard it said that evolution may be slowed by our modern technology, and the fact that too many people are surviving. Pissing-off a wild bore has to be a great incentive to do something you've never previously done, even if it is just climb-a-tree-and-wet-yourself-until-it-knocks-itself-out-on-the-trunk.

The top speed a human is capable of is 20 mph. A wild boar can manage far more than that. It'd be like taking a bath in hydrofluoric acid. There would not be any survivors.

To quote Praetonia, This thread is an abomination of insanity.

Pelicans eating pigeons? Hot child-on-boar action? Hm... sounds like something my neighbor would rent.

Well, I would suppose that in-school classes would incorporate some sort of crafts element during which tools and hunting weapons could be forged, maybe even designed. It'd have to beat the light-up doorbell they made us build when I was at school.

(Edit: Also, I know that last post went a bit... off the rails, but I'm drinking in celebration of my impending emmigration, darn it, allow me a bit of utter nonsense!)

Of course those people can freak out. A friggin pelican just ate a pigeon. Okay, it's happens, but who among you can honestly tell me their teacher or parents told them pelicans ate anything other than fish?

You people are all missing the point. Those viewers wouldn't have been "aghast" to see a cat eating a mouse or frog eating a fly or cheetah eating a gazelle... because that's normal and expected.

This incident would be like watching a rhino swallow a giraffe, in that it is not common knowledge (for all I know, maybe rhinos do swallow giraffes.)

Yes, I think that's pretty much it.

Well, I hope so.

Then again, a lot of people DO have the strange conception that animals don't kill other animals. Or for that matter, that vegetarians don't.

Ahh! WTrostiaF? You're still alive, eh?

I just mentioned EE in another thread on this forum, started by my own self, in fact, for I am leaving NS (much against my will). Off to Aus, y'see, and no idea when I'll regain net access.

But, if I get a computer while I'm there, I'll probably come back (to EE), to be honest. Enough down-time has passed, now.

I sure am! I'm immortal. Trostia has like 8 billion population now, which with the good old war system means... erm, 800 million. Heh.

Be careful in Australia, I heard they only just recently discovered electricity.

Shhhh... You're not supposed to point out to people that what they are eating is the same cute animals they collect pictures of...

Unless said person is Japanese and eating fish, then they may not only know it was alive, but are posiably eating it alive. ;)

Heheheh. Just another subversive gaijin...

No, thank you for the snopes link ;)

:D Your very welcome. Snopes is great.

If the pigeon is not part of the natural prey of the pelican, why would it not drown it? It looks like a gull, so logically, if the bird if made of wood, it's a witch!

...oh, wait, no, wrong argument. To the pelican, the pigeon looks like a gull, so it would probably attempt the same tactics.

Well, I assume the gulls were drowned and the pigeon was not, because gulls are generally much larger and more aggressive than pigeons.

I assume you're still cramming however many Trostians there are into the Crimea, eh? What happened to Southeastern Finland and Northwestern Russia? Any more Igovian-era graves dug-up, lately? =)

I've always had a bit of a problem with those... well, hippies, I suppose, who want to both not-eat-animals and not-destroy-earth but then stuff themselves with soy products, which probably was cultivated on burned-down rainforest. If they grew it themselves, fine. Good, even, well done, but the lazy kind of hippie really sucks.


Oh, yeah, Australia, electricity, I'm sure they have it, probably hooked-up a wire fence to a koala sliding in a static-producing manner down a tree, or something, but... oh, this just doesn't work now that the Aussie economy is worth more per-capita than the UK's. Sigh. I really don't know what I can use to take the piss out of them with. Save heckling the exchange rate (We get threeee dollars, t'the pound, we get threeee dollars...). Well, almost.

Your post is not only clear-cutting and decisive, but utterly rofl-inducing. Congratulations.

Hooray!

Well, I would suppose that in-school classes would incorporate some sort of crafts element during which tools and hunting weapons could be forged, maybe even designed. It'd have to beat the light-up doorbell they made us build when I was at school.

Incidentally, back when boar hunting was popular, the hunters would wear armor and carry these massive spears. They also tended to be extremely good fighters, due to serving in the military. They were often mounted on trained war horses during the hunts. Boars still killed many of them.

Incidentally, back when boar hunting was popular, the hunters would wear armor and carry these massive spears. They also tended to be extremely good fighters, due to serving in the military. They were often mounted on trained war horses during the hunts. Boars still killed many of them.

...Pigs rock.

Of course those people can freak out. A friggin pelican just ate a pigeon. Okay, it's happens, but who among you can honestly tell me their teacher or parents told them pelicans ate anything other than fish?

Personally, I was a little surprised to discover that a pelican's diet would include other birds, but not to the point of being shocked or aghast. It was more along the lines of "Pelicans sometimes eat other birds? Cool!"

But then again, that may just be me. I'm fairly up on my biology.

You people are all missing the point. Those viewers wouldn't have been "aghast" to see a cat eating a mouse or frog eating a fly or cheetah eating a gazelle... because that's normal and expected.

That would be a problem of science education.

This incident would be like watching a rhino swallow a giraffe, in that it is not common knowledge (for all I know, maybe rhinos do swallow giraffes.)

Not really in the same league. A largish carnivore devouring a smaller and unusual prey animal is not quite the same as a large herbivore swallow (whole) an equally large or even larger animal.

Just a note on sizes (using the wikipedia for conveniences sake):

White Pelican: 160cm length and 280cm wingspan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_White_Pelican

Rock Pigeon: 30–35 cm long and 62–68 cm wingspan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Pigeon

Common Gull: 43cm in length and 120cm wingspan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Gull

Black Rhino: 143 – 160 cm at the shoulder, 2.86-3.05 m in length, from 800 to 1400 kg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rhinoceros

Giraffe: 4.8 to 5.5 metres tall and weigh up to 1,360 kilograms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe

Incidentally, back when boar hunting was popular, the hunters would wear armor and carry these massive spears. They also tended to be extremely good fighters, due to serving in the military. They were often mounted on trained war horses during the hunts. Boars still killed many of them.

They also had special spears that were supose to keep the stuck pig from running right up the shaft and goring them anyway.

Well, besides the fact that mice are among snakes natural prey and pelicans eat fish.

Actually, fish are only generally what pelicans eat, or it's preferred prey. However, it's not unheard of for a predator to go after something else if food may be a bit more scarce, or another food source is present.

A bid odd? Somewhat, but hardly unnatural.

You don't have to grow up on a farm to see nature in action. My cats used to drag up anything imaginable. And a cat plays with it. Forever.

They also had special spears that were supose to keep the stuck pig from running right up the shaft and goring them anyway.

In regards to all the boar hunting with spears, heres' a nice little story: http://www.sunrisecustomknives.com/fieldtest/fieldcasselman.html

They also had special spears that were supose to keep the stuck pig from running right up the shaft and goring them anyway.

Man, people don't really have respect for herbivore hunting, do they? They think "dangerous" hunting is going on a safari and killing a lion or some such nonsense.

However, the most dangerous animal to hunt is probably the Hippo. Without a perfectly aimed shot, all you are really going to do is piss the damn thing off to no end. And they are generally pissed to begin with when unknown animals(such as people) are around.

As for boars, how large did they get in Europe? I'm not terribly well learned on them, although I'd like to be. Particularily the ones of Scotland, which my coat of arms has three boars on it(Betchya can't guess my family name from just that!).

It would have been quite the hunt to watch, though.

You don't have to grow up on a farm to see nature in action. My cats used to drag up anything imaginable. And a cat plays with it. Forever.

At least until they leave it beheaded on your front step, and disembowled to boot.

Creepy.

You don't have to grow up on a farm to see nature in action. My cats used to drag up anything imaginable. And a cat plays with it. Forever.

Yeah, one of our cats was a proper sadist... we'd often rescue little field mice and voles and shrews and suchness, and, often as not, the little frickers would bite whoever rescued them from the cat, and draw blood.

Why didn't you do that to the cat, you stupid little...?!

Actually, fish are only generally what pelicans eat, or it's preferred prey. However, it's not unheard of for a predator to go after something else if food may be a bit more scarce, or another food source is present.

A bid odd? Somewhat, but hardly unnatural.

Exactly so. Although I wonder what's going on at St. James Park if the Pelican's are having this sort of trouble...

You don't have to grow up on a farm to see nature in action. My cats used to drag up anything imaginable. And a cat plays with it. Forever.

Indeed you don't. You just have to may attention to what's going on around you.

And, most appropriately, a hawk of some sort just caught and ate what I presume was a rat or mouse just outside my window. If I'd had my camera at hand, I'd have posted a pic for you all. (And sorry, I didn't have my binocs hany either, or I'd have given you more detail.)

Man, people don't really have respect for herbivore hunting, do they? They think "dangerous" hunting is going on a safari and killing a lion or some such nonsense.

However, the most dangerous animal to hunt is probably the Hippo. Without a perfectly aimed shot, all you are really going to do is piss the damn thing off to no end. And they are generally pissed to begin with when unknown animals(such as people) are around.

As for boars, how large did they get in Europe? I'm not terribly well learned on them, although I'd like to be. Particularily the ones of Scotland, which my coat of arms has three boars on it(Betchya can't guess my family name from just that!).

It would have been quite the hunt to watch, though.

Pigs are omnivores, not herbivores. Male wild boar can hit around 200 kilos.

Pigs are omnivores, not herbivores. Male wild boar can hit around 200 kilos.

Ah, however, I would suspect that generally they don't eat meat. They can, I do know, but it's not what they would usually eat I would assume. Could be wrong.

200 kilos? Jesus, that over 400 lbs, right? Or an NFL linebacker and a half or so, for a good comparison.

Wow.

More like 320-odd lbs, isn' it?

Still, a lot in a small, compact animal that is likely more muscle than fat. And has little tusky things.


Edit: ...man, this has so little to do with pelicans. Heh.

Man, people don't really have respect for herbivore hunting, do they? They think "dangerous" hunting is going on a safari and killing a lion or some such nonsense.

Indeed. And it's not just the large ones either. Medium sized game animals such as white tail deer can kill too.

However, the most dangerous animal to hunt is probably the Hippo. Without a perfectly aimed shot, all you are really going to do is piss the damn thing off to no end. And they are generally pissed to begin with when unknown animals(such as people) are around.

Hippos are very dangerous in general. (I know I don't want to run into one in a thread... ;))

As for boars, how large did they get in Europe?

Do, not did, as they only went extinct in Britan (although they've been reintroduced. ;)

Up to 300 kg and 2 meters.

I'm not terribly well learned on them, although I'd like to be. Particularily the ones of Scotland, which my coat of arms has three boars on it(Betchya can't guess my family name from just that!).

It would have been quite the hunt to watch, though.

Still is.

More like 320-odd lbs, isn' it?

Still, a lot in a small, compact animal that is likely more muscle than fat. And has little tusky things.


Edit: ...man, this has so little to do with pelicans. Heh.

Actually, wikipedia says about 440 pounds, just about exactly 200 kilos(440.9 and some change to be exact).

And some, apparently, can reach up to 650 lbs! I would never, ever, E.V.E.R., go toe-to-toe with one of these beasts. Huge, strong, and deadly.

Oh, man, yeah, I'm so much drunker than I thought. What was I converting, miles to kilometres or something? Haha. Now that's a pig!

Ah, however, I would suspect that generally they don't eat meat. They can, I do know, but it's not what they would usually eat I would assume. Could be wrong.

Yep, you are. They'll eat anything they can get ahold of - even rabbits and fawns. (And yes, even people.)

200 kilos? Jesus, that over 400 lbs, right? Or an NFL linebacker and a half or so, for a good comparison.

Wow.

300 kg, or about 660 lbs, is the tops.

I propose here and now we create the NS boar's party.

For once when people are stating facts, they aren't copping flak for it! People are actually listening to each other! Wide eyed, they marvel at the majesty of the boar...

Can't you see it people? The boar is civilisation!

Indeed. And it's not just the large ones either. Medium sized game animals such as white tail deer can kill too.

Exactly. Hooves and antlers, are quite deadly on a fast and surprisingly strong animal.


Hippos are very dangerous in general. (I know I don't want to run into one in a thread... ;))

Yep. It causes more deaths in Africa than any other animal. I have seen a hunt on tape, and you pretty much have to get right in the Hippos face before you shoot. Takes some balls.



Do, not did, as they only went extinct in Britan (although they've been reintroduced. ;)

Ah, didn't know that. Learn something new every day.


Up to 300 kg and 2 meters.

2 meters long? That is absolutely massive.


Still is.
I can only imagine.

"Do not feed pigeons while dressed in pelican suits."

Surely that should be, "Do not feed pelicans while dressed in pigeon suits - or as a waiter."

That is one cool picture:
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/10/pelican_468x326.jpg


As for the parents being 'shocked' - this is the Daily Mail you're referencing here. Everyone is 'Shocked' and 'Stunned' constantly by everything, everywhere according to that rag.

Actually, wikipedia says about 440 pounds, just about exactly 200 kilos(440.9 and some change to be exact).

Err... it says:
Wild boars can reach up to 440 lb (200 kg), occasionally even 660 lb (300 kg) for adult males, and can be up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boar

Yep, you are. They'll eat anything they can get ahold of - even rabbits and fawns. (And yes, even people.)

Man, I knew they attacked other animals, but I had no idea there was actual predation in mind. Huh, learn many things new a day, apparently.

Err... it says:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boar

Didn't read my full post. I adressed that part. ;)

At least until they leave it beheaded on your front step, and disembowled to boot.
You have my cat.

I propose here and now we create the NS boar's party.

For once when people are stating facts, they aren't copping flak for it! People are actually listening to each other! Wide eyed, they marvel at the majesty of the boar...

Can't you see it people? The boar is civilisation!

It happens. The topic isn't politically charged (yet).

Exactly. Hooves and antlers, are quite deadly on a fast and surprisingly strong animal.

On one of my first hunts, my father came quite close to getting gored by a wounded deer.

Ah, didn't know that. Learn something new every day.

:)

2 meters long? That is absolutely massive.

Indeed. I remember the first time I encountered one in the wild while hiking. A scary monster she was.

That is one cool picture:


Wasn't it. Have a look at the video above.

As for the parents being 'shocked' - this is the Daily Mail you're referencing here. Everyone is 'Shocked' and 'Stunned' constantly by everything, everywhere according to that rag.

Fair enough.

Incidentally, back when boar hunting was popular, the hunters would wear armor and carry these massive spears. They also tended to be extremely good fighters, due to serving in the military. They were often mounted on trained war horses during the hunts. Boars still killed many of them.
Why would you go to all that trouble wearing and carrying all that crap?
I worked with a guy (weighed prob 80kg) when I was in the forestry who went out pig hunting every weekend, armed with just a bloody big knife (he also took a rifle just in case, but would leave that in his truck). He also took his pigdog along to flush the beasts out.
Biggest pig he ever got weighed 130kg cleaned (ie gutted), which meant it would have been close to 200kg whole. He said it came tearing out of the bush running straight for him, so he leapt onto it's back. As it running through the undergrowth, he got his knife out and stabbed it up through it's ribcage into it's heart. It still kept running for several metres after that too.

Ironically, the only injury he sustained was twisting his ankle as he was hauling the carcass out.

He was a pretty hard man, that guy. You didn't want to mess with him.

Didn't read my full post. I adressed that part. ;)

I did indeed miss that part.

I have seen a hunt on tape, and you pretty much have to get right in the Hippos face before you shoot. Takes some balls.

Normally I'm opposed to sport hunting, but I think I might make an exception here. Do you have the video on hand?

Normally I'm opposed to sport hunting, but I think I might make an exception here. Do you have the video on hand?

Unfortunately no. One of my friends, whom I'm not sure where he got it from(Possibly friend of the family, didn't ask), had it.

Domestic pigs are even nastier. They still have tusks (which are normally clipped for safety) and have been known to hit 1000 kg. Also, they've been about as domesticated as cats, which basically means they won't go out of their way to kill you. If you fall down, and they're hungry, you're still fucked.

On one of my first hunts, my father came quite close to getting gored by a wounded deer.





Which is why I always bring a gun(Or have the bow ready) when tracking a wounded deer. Even if it looks dead, you should always be wary, as I know from first hand that deer can get up after being seemingly dead.

Also, I usually hunt for does, so the fear of antlers isn't an issue(Getting kicked, though, is).

Wasn't it. Have a look at the video above.
Love to, but haven't got the right codecs installed on this work comp, and I don't have admin rights to d/l & install them, dammit!
Have to wait til I get home.


Wasn't there a program on Discovery a while back about a guy who claimed he caught a pig that weighed a ton? He had a photo of it - it looked 3 metres long minimum, but most ppl said it was a fake. In the end, they dug up the carcass and measured it. And sure enough it was that long and they estimated it would haveweighed close to the big T mark.
Anyone know what the hell I'm talking about, or is this just another of my weird dreams?


Here's a big pig:
http://www.antsmedia.tv/clip-pig.html
1600lb.
I was really hoping it would eat the friggin' dog!

Which is why I always bring a gun(Or have the bow ready) when tracking a wounded deer. Even if it looks dead, you should always be wary, as I know from first hand that deer can get up after being seemingly dead.

Also, I usually hunt for does, so the fear of antlers isn't an issue(Getting kicked, though, is).

Oh, absolutely. This guy jumped up from under a bush pile and dad made a beauty of a snap shot.

The damage a 12 gauge slug does to a deers head a near point blank range is amazing...

(That same trip he made the most beautifully perfect shot I've ever seen - dead center neck straight through the spine, dropping a doe instantly.

Children aghast as pelican swallows pigeon whole



For a real lesson in the viciousness of the state of nature, proceed to the nearest California Mission (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Missions) equipped with coin operated bird feed dispensers. I remember the mere sound of the quarter dropping into the slot cauing the sun to be blotted out by the sheer mass of pigeons proceeding directly toward said slot at full speed and from all directions.

<VOICE=Moe Szyslak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moe_Szyslak)>Ow! Not the face! Ooh! Ooh! Okay, the face! Ooh! Whoa, that actually feels good after the crotch.</VOICE>

Where's a pelican when you need one?

Nobody thinks it's odd that a Pelican is eating pigeons? Sure, animals eat each other, but pigeons? I thought they only ate fish.

It was a Pelican scientists, and that was an experiment about introducing different types of meals in the Pelicans' diet.

I think the issue is more that people do not expect a pelican to eat a pidgon, and were like WTF?!

A cat eating a bird... nobody would be surprised at all.
A hawk? who cares?

But pelicans don't normally do this and so it caught people off guard.

That's one reason I think most parents are horrible - they're happy to let their kids eat all kinds of dead things, but too gutless to actually tell their kids where the food comes from - and when they do, like the Mother who told her kids, whilst looking at chickens, that they would most likely be killed and eaten, it makes headlines. And then there's the lies about "Santa Claus". Ridiculous.Yeah, they should just go out and tell kids that santa eats naughty children. That's why he's so fat. No sense lying about it; they need to know.
And those poor elves, they're just snack-cattle, to get through the long year between christmasses.

BBC got it now: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6083468.stm

An RSPB spokesman said: "It is almost unheard of for a pelican to eat a bird. Their diet should be strictly fish."

Is education in the UK so bas that these people didn't know that animals eat each other?

Idiots.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the feeling you think British people are grossly unaware of the way the world works, and that education the UK is terrible.

I know I would have been pretty suprised to see a pelican eat a pigeon, I thought they ate fish. Meh, you learn all manner of things on NS.

I found that funny, actually. >.>

the uk education system is frightfully awfull.

the uk education system is frightfully awfull.

Because children didn't know a pelican would eat a pigeon?

Because children didn't know a pelican would eat a pidgeon?

i wasnt giving a reason, i was just saying.

the uk education system is frightfully awfull.

Its a Daily Mail article EVERYONE is shocked by EVERYTHING

i wasnt giving a reason, i was just saying.

So your post has absolutely nothing to do with this thread?

This simply proves how weak the Human race is getting. First they begin to censorship and let children grow up ignorant and dumb. Then they teach them how all violence is wrong. Then they start giving them all participation trouphies and awards for doing simple tasks. Then they outlaw tag... before you know it their ripe for the plucking. We should return to spartan ways of living.

yep. lets all have no toilets, and stinks like hell, because of no inlaid running water.

(seriously, I agree with your point.)

I think the issue is more that people do not expect a pelican to eat a pidgon, and were like WTF?!

A cat eating a bird... nobody would be surprised at all.
A hawk? who cares?

But pelicans don't normally do this and so it caught people off guard.

While indeed unusual, as I said above, it should not be terribly shocking that a predator ate even an unusual prey animal.

Animals don't always eat what's considered their standard diet, as anyone who's seen a dog or cat eat grass can tell you.

Yeah, they should just go out and tell kids that santa eats naughty children. That's why he's so fat. No sense lying about it; they need to know.
And those poor elves, they're just snack-cattle, to get through the long year between christmasses.

Ohhh... Glingleglingleglingle... Is that you, Hogfather?

BBC got it now: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6083468.stm

Cool, thanks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the feeling you think British people are grossly unaware of the way the world works, and that education the UK is terrible.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply this was a Brit problem at all. Rather than Brits, I think most people in industrialized countries suffer under Disneyesque illusions of the nature of nature.

I know I would have been pretty suprised to see a pelican eat a pigeon, I thought they ate fish. Meh, you learn all manner of things on NS.

As I've said above, yeah I was surprised, but more in the "cool, pelicans eat birds sometimes" manner rathjer than the implied "OMFG!!!! That pelican just ate a bird right in front of all those innocent children who didn't know animals ate each other!!!" mode implied in the original article.

So your post has absolutely nothing to do with this thread?

i'm pretty sure the origional post had something to do with what i said. people frequently post things that have nothing to do with the thread, pancakes and such.

Please also remember that this was an article in the 'Daily Mail'....'nuff said.

By the way, I live in a fairly rural area of the UK, and children here are very well aware of nature red in tooth and claw. My sons friend lives on a farm and even though he is only 13 will spend much of the run up to Christmas slaughtering and preparing turkeys. I imagine that it was more shock to see a pelican eating a pigeon in a London park, rather than ignorance of the facts of the real world in all its gory revoltingness.

While indeed unusual, as I said above, it should not be terribly shocking that a predator ate even an unusual prey animal.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply this was a Brit problem at all. Rather than Brits, I think most people in industrialized countries suffer under Disneyesque illusions of the nature of nature.

As I've said above, yeah I was surprised, but more in the "cool, pelicans eat birds sometimes" manner rathjer than the implied "OMFG!!!! That pelican just ate a bird right in front of all those innocent children who didn't know animals ate each other!!!" mode implied in the original article.

I don't think the kids were really disturbed or traumatised, although some of the parents might have thought they were.

I think anyone with a pet cat is well aware that some animals eat other animals. I think the 'aghast' was more out of shock seeing a bird that normally eats fish chugging down a pidgeon and also because it took so damn long doing it. Sounds pretty drawn out...

Animals don't always eat what's considered their standard diet, as anyone who's seen a dog or cat eat grass can tell you.

But they don't eat grass because they felt like grazing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=412374&in_page_id=1770&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=picbox&ct=5

Shocked? Aghast???

Is education in the UK so bas that these people didn't know that animals eat each other?

Idiots.

(At least it wasn't Poisoning Pigeons in the Park (http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/pigeons.htm) a la Tom Lehrer...)

" ... except for the ones we take home to experiment." :D

Yeah, what kind of suicidal loon eats a pigeon?

It can't possibly be worth twenty minutes struggle to eat a pigeon.
*Raises hand* Quite the fiasco, nearly got expelled. I was hungry damnit! Plus boarding school food sucks nuts.

I think your overplaying things here. They were shocked to see it on their doorstep, but they knew it happened. Its just "not something you see very often at all" shock.

I think your overplaying things here. They were shocked to see it on their doorstep, but they knew it happened. Its just "not something you see very often at all" shock.

Err.. if by "you", you mean the Daily Mail, I might be inclined to agree.

Err.. if by "you", you mean the Daily Mail, I might be inclined to agree.

Or the BBC...

Do you see pelicans chomping down pigeons on a regular basis?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=412374&in_page_id=1770&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=picbox&ct=5

Shocked? Aghast???

Is education in the UK so bas that these people didn't know that animals eat each other?

Idiots.

(At least it wasn't Poisoning Pigeons in the Park (http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/pigeons.htm) a la Tom Lehrer...)

I know that rape exists, but I'd still be horrified to see a rape in progress.

I know that humans sometimes torture one another, but I'm still horrified to see images of torture.

I know that parents sometimes shake their babies, but I'd be pretty goddam "aghast" if I went to the park and saw somebody shaking their baby.

Personally, I'm not horrified by the notion of a bird being eaten. I've eaten some myself. But that's my personal emotional standard, and I'm not about to make fun of people who have a different standard. Knowing that a thing exists doesn't mean you're necessarily going to be comfortable with it.

Is education in the UK so bas that these people didn't know that animals eat each other?

Idiots.

(At least it wasn't Poisoning Pigeons in the Park (http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/pigeons.htm) a la Tom Lehrer...)

They were probably aghast as they knew, unlike you, that pelicans eat fish and not birds. Idiot.

An RSPB spokesman said: "It is almost unheard of for a pelican to eat a bird. Their diet should be strictly fish." (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6083468.stm)

They were probably aghast as they knew, unlike you, that pelicans eat fish and not birds. Idiot.You really can't blame him for not knowing something that even that pelican itself didn't know. God, that bird must feel so ashamed now, it didn't even know its own diet.

Am I the only one shocked at the presence of pelican's in London? Hmmmm if we breed lots it may solve the pidgeon problem.

I propose here and now we create the NS boar's party.

For once when people are stating facts, they aren't copping flak for it! People are actually listening to each other! Wide eyed, they marvel at the majesty of the boar...

Can't you see it people? The boar is civilisation!

I quite agree. To that end, I have created the NationStates Brotherhood of the Boar! Simply place this in your signature:

-~{Ж}BR0THǼRH00D of the B0ǼR{Ж}~-

Make sure to italicize it.

But they don't eat grass because they felt like grazing.

Depends on the dog.

I saw a cat eat brown processed-grain pellets once. True story.

Well, I've seen people willingly eat dog food before. To be fair she was blindfolded. Possibly by me....

And either way, I'd be surprised to see a Pelican in London as it is, let alone eat a pigeon. I wouldn't be "aghast" though.

But they don't eat grass because they felt like grazing.



Depends on the dog.

Indeed.

Or the BBC...

Do you see pelicans chomping down pigeons on a regular basis?

They were probably aghast as they knew, unlike you, that pelicans eat fish and not birds. Idiot.

An RSPB spokesman said: "It is almost unheard of for a pelican to eat a bird. Their diet should be strictly fish." (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6083468.stm)

1) Unlike you I know that pelicans are not strict piscivores.

2) As I pointed out earlier in the thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11852921&postcount=19), it is not unheard of for pelicans to eat other birds.

3) Flaming people is bad form. Especially when you are flaming them for being wrong when they are indeed correct.

4) For your edification, I'll repost this.

Pelicans mainly eat fish, but they are opportunistic feeders and eat a variety of aquatic animals including crustaceans, tadpoles and turtles. They readily accept 'handouts' from humans, and a number of unusual items have been recorded in their diet. During periods of starvation, pelicans have been reported capturing and eating seagulls and ducklings. The gulls are held under water and drowned before being eaten headfirst. Pelicans will also rob other birds of their prey.
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/australian_pelican.htm

5) I'll add the following:

Food Habits

Primarily eats fish. In Europe, prefers carp; in Africa, prefers cichlids. Large fish make up 90% of the Great White Pelican diet. The other 10% includes abundant small fish, and, in SW Africa, eggs and chicks of the Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis). Estimated daily food requirement of 900-1200 grams (or 2-4 large fish). Feeds in groups, often cooperatively--this is rare among birds. In cooperative feeding, 8-12 pelicans get in a horseshoe formation on the water; they surround and force fish into shallow water, flapping wings and plunging bills to catch the fish along the way. When it catches a fish, the pelican tilts its bill up and swallows the fish whole.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pelecanus_onocrotalus.html

You really can't blame him for not knowing something that even that pelican itself didn't know. God, that bird must feel so ashamed now, it didn't even know its own diet.

Heheheh

Am I the only one shocked at the presence of pelican's in London? Hmmmm if we breed lots it may solve the pidgeon problem.

St James Park has had pelicans since the Russian ambassador giftewd King Charlesw I with some in 1664.
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/st_james_park/flora_fauna/pelicans.cfm