Re: Energetics - was Re: Spinosaurs ate pterosaurs

[Neil Taylor <nf.taylor@ntlworld.com>]

Richard W. Travsky wrote:

> In my area, I have watched sparrows chase a single moth down to the deck.
>
> The moth will turn suddenly, dodge and weave and the sparrow is right
> behind it. I've watched this several times (whilst sitting at red lights
> with open pavement in front of me, allowing a good view) and it the
> sparrow kinda corners the moth on the ground.
>
> Always seems like a lot of energy to expend just for one moth. I have
> to wonder if play doesn't figure in to it.
I've also seen sparrows hurl themselves up from the ground at small 
insects on leaves - but only when they have offspring in the nest.

Sparrows are primarily seed-eaters - but I understood that they (and 
other similar birds) needed to find protein supplements for their 
growing youngsters, so go to extremes (beyond their "design parameters") 
to catch insects in that season