Re: The absurdity, the absurdity (was: Cooperating theropods?)

["Matthew Troutman" <m_troutman@hotmail.com>]

<<Thank you!  Looks like you didn't have to bend very far, too.  I 
hadn't heard about keas; there's something disturbing about a 
carnivorous parrot.  Kind of like a vampiric bunny or something.>>

    Actually, keas are supposedly quite sweet in capativity. They are 
among the smartest of parrots problem-solving wise ( they deflate tires 
and such ).

> 
>> Though its not technically hunting, many small songbirds have been 
known
>> to swarm hawks and crows. 

<<Does this happen much in non-corvids?  I see reference to it with 
crows and jays and magpies and such and was just wondering if it was a 
corvid thing or common among birds in general.>>

     I know sparrows swarm hawks as well as wrens ( hell, maybe all 
small passerines). This type of behavior in birds is pretty common. You 
have small songbirds swarming hawks and you have bald eagles in 
Anchorage meeting in large congregations to catch fish. Its pretty 
common and widespread. 


Matt Troutman


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