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Birds Using 'Tools' to Set Fires

posted by Fnord666 on Monday November 11 2019, @02:13AM   Printer-friendly
from the hangry-birds dept.

Gaaark writes:

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water, you find that birds in Australia have learned to use fire to set fires; all in the name of the circle of life.

"FOR THOUSANDS of years Australia's indigenous people have spoken about 'firehawk' raptors that intentionally spread bushfires in order to corner their prey.

Now, a new study has documented and confirmed the bizarre ritual of these firehawks, finding that at least three raptor species "act as propagators" of wild fire."

The birds will "pick up smoldering grass and sticks from raging bushfires and transport them up to a kilometre away". They use these 'tools' to set fires in non-burning areas to start a frenzy of small animals running for safety; or, out of the fire and into the frying pan.

Time for small animals everywhere to unite and form their own fire departments... Volunteers only, please.

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2018/01/this-is-why-aussie-firehawk-raptors-are-spreading-bushfires/

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  • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday November 11 2019, @07:31AM (5 children)

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Monday November 11 2019, @07:31AM (#918848) Journal

    This is one of those types of knowledge you can't acquire by strict analytical means and where direct unmediated experience is absolutely necessary.
    Fortunately, it doesn't take as long as attaining a Zen state.

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   2  

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @07:40AM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @07:40AM (#918851)

    We'll drink a Foster's to honor your sacrifice.

    • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday November 11 2019, @08:03AM (1 child)

      by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Monday November 11 2019, @08:03AM (#918857) Journal

      Heh, I neither suicides nor morphed into a bogan, so no sacrifice here.
      This being said, feel free to drink whatever booze you like and for whatever reasons.

      --
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford

    • (Score: 2) by MostCynical on Monday November 11 2019, @09:26AM (1 child)

      by MostCynical (2589) on Monday November 11 2019, @09:26AM (#918877) Journal

      Anything but XXXX [wikipedia.org]

      Fosters [wikipedia.org] isn't really Australian, anymore.

      --
      "I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @09:48AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @09:48AM (#918880)

        I ain't in Australia. That's why it has to be a Foster's.