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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, @10:55AM (3 children)

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Monday November 11 2019, @10:55AM (#918892) Journal

    Why would you drink either?

    Indeed, I don't.

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  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @03:19PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @03:19PM (#918954)

    Perhaps you'll luck out and someone will start shipping this stuff [taphunter.com] down to you folks.

    Cuz it's *classy*. It even has its own screed:

    This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality or depth. We would suggest you stick to more familiar territory - maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it's made in a little brewery, or one that implies that its tasteless fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal.

    • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday November 11 2019, @03:34PM (1 child)

      by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Monday November 11 2019, @03:34PM (#918959) Journal

      Oh, well, over 6% I prefer rum.
      Otherwise, if you are after Guinness Book of Records (rather than the Guinness stout) you may like to look at at a 67.6 ABV ale [laughingsquid.com]? (I know I don't).

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

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

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 11 2019, @07:40PM (#919033)

        Oh, well, over 6% I prefer rum.
        Otherwise, if you are after Guinness Book of Records (rather than the Guinness stout) you may like to look at at a 67.6 ABV ale [laughingsquid.com]? (I know I don't).

        AC you replied to here.

        Not looking for records. I mentioned it as it's actually pretty tasty. And I don't even *like* beer. If it was strength I was interested in, I would have mentioned the stronger version, Double Bastard Ale [beeradvocate.com] which is 11%.

        As for rum, except for Cachaça [wikipedia.org] the only thing rum ever did for me is make me puke. Which I guess is good, as there's more for you!