A question that has puzzled me for a long time. Just WHY do Pied Wagtails spend so much time on the tarmac ? I frequently see them on car parks and in the road. I know birds need grit to grind their food but I'm sure that's not what the Wagtails are looking for all the time. Anyone any ideas ?
Yes, they've learnt that these are sources of dead or half dead insects, which they don't need to chase about to catch. If you watch in car parks, they often fly up from the tarmac to the fronts of cars - they're picking off the squashed flies.
It's the old principle of the easy meal in action
:-)
Interesting theory. Thanks , Jackdaw.
It's more than a theory - you will find brief references to it in online sources.
Regards,
Jackdaw
Sorry. I didn't mean to imply you were wrong.
No offence taken!
Makes for dead easy birdwatching.
Very easy, and entertaining.
We were stuck on a tarmac single track lane in the car as a pied waggie pecked about infront of us. He was joined by two young lambs who were fascinated by him. They were leaping about, as lambs do, pretending to butt him, and generally having fun. All the while the waggie just carried on pecking, ignoring the lambs and us. Amazing sight.
Can't wait to see those pics , Linda . . . . you did have the camera handy , didn't you ???
Galatas said: Can't wait to see those pics , Linda . . . . you did have the camera handy , didn't you ???
Yes, I did have it handy. It was on my lap. I was so gobsmacked at what we were watching that it never occurred to me to take a picture! Can you believe that!!
Yes, it happens to me all the time!!