The mystery killer at Torquay prompts a question as to how avian raptors do actually kill their prey.
Despite their great hooked beaks, Wedge-tailed Eagles kill with their claws, using their beaks to tear up their victims, or any carrion they eat. Or so I once read.
Apart from Powerful Owls do any Australian Owls prey on large mammals. Mice are obviously caught and killed in bills, so presumably possums would be an extension of that technique, but, to be pedantic, does anyone really know if they are claw or bill killers?
Another unrelated question. We have a continuous stream of many different bird species coming to our yard at different times of day, attracted by a bird feeder and kitchen scraps which they recycle.
A family of six Purple Gallinules, including three sub-adult juveniles from the dam over 10Om away, very habituated to humans over the years, has invaded our yard.
Initially this was a welcome development but they are there all the time, coming onto the verandah a and their large droppings are a big problem.
Being habituated, when chased they walk a few metres away, look back at the chaser then return.
We don’t have a dog anymore and handed the shotgun in years ago.(joking). Any humane solutions apart from not feeding our flock ?
Cheers
Michael
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