Hi there
There is a wildlife programme about scavengers tonight.
It is not for normal viewing as it may be a little sad to watch - as it is more to do with scavengers eating carcasses after the elephants life has expired
Anyway mother nature doing her thing as always
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Unknown said: P.S. It is on 4 on demand ~ http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od
P.S.
It is on 4 on demand ~
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od
Cheers Chris xx
I loved the Superb Starlings noted on the programme - the blue sheen on their feathers was something else - makes our own Starlings look a bit drab.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superb_Starling
I have seen Stone Curlews in Menorca and they have the most amazing call - like it is a high pitch BoP whining, and making a high pitch mewing noise. They are very leggy to like a chicken.
I thought I saw some type of finch with a red bill like a Zebra finch or similar - are they not associated with cleaning wild animals skin when the animal is still alive
There where a lot of birds noted in the programme but appeared towards the end when the maggots where at their most abundant - so it was the waiting game for the birds
Although I didn't watch this (can't bear watching programmes like this!) I feel I should add that Vultures are great for stopping the spread of disease that carcasses develop if they are not 'stripped' by them. I didn't think much of them until I saw a display at my local zoo - they came across as lovely birds and did not live up to the bad name thats been created for them...
My name is VeggieBirdLover and I am a bird feeding addict :D
Pipit, I do remember that comment, i don't see it myself. As was mentioned on the prog last night, when you see the thick knees during the daytime they have these big yellow iris making them look like owls or birds of prey in that respect, quite 'menacing' looking rather than chicken like, unless you think that chickens are particularly menacing!
At night the thick knees appear dark eyed (although its dark and we cannot see them well with the naked eye but the filming team can with infra red light!) as they are letting more light in to hunt!
I didn't see any zebra finch in the programme, they are Australian birds so it would have been a big surprise if they were there! However, there were red-billed oxpecker's which are often seen prizing ticks from buffalos etc but will take advantage of an abundance of food like at a carcass when it becomes available.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Hi Ian
Thank for your ID of the bird with the Red Bill. I was making a wild guess at the species and finch popped into my head for whatever reason - just simply visualising the birds sitting on the wildlife at the moment.
Yes, it would be interesting to know how many birds did appear in the whole programme and there a lot more than one or two in this case - maybe we should write our lists next LOL
Ooh yes I thoroughly enjoyed it although I only watched until 10pm (have recorded the last bit to watch later). It was amazing to see the variety of creatures that made the most of the carcass!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
A brilliant programme indeed! Although the vultures are in decline I wondered if the amount of food available to them in the area had contributed to them being less interested in the carcase. Generally vultures are at a kill or death within moments & try to get their share despite predators eating.
One Life - Live It!!
watched this and thought it was very interesting... though it was a bit grim watching the Hyenas choose their initial entry point...
I did laugh though when the Hyena got 'bottom surprise' served up as a main course... youtube link
what goes around comes around!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guyfrankland/sets/72157623175917620/show/
Hi Guy
Yes, that bit with the inflatable anus was hilarious - Hyena was blown away in the gust of wind LOL
The smell must have been yuk!!!
Reminded me of an air bag in a car going off!