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Birds Using 'Tools' to Set Fires

posted by Fnord666 on Monday November 11 2019, @02:13AM   
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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Original Submission

• Re:holy shit (Score: 3, Informative) by Mykl on Tuesday November 12 2019, @12:25AM

  by Mykl (1112) on Tuesday November 12 2019, @12:25AM (#919167)

  Since late 2012, Victoria Bitter has been sold at a strength of 4.9% ABV after an interim period of producing the same product at an ABV of 4.6% (equal to virtually every other major Australian lager).

  There was a massive outcry from VB drinkers when they reduced the alcohol content to match other beers, and the brewery were forced to put it back up again due to pressure from their customers (who trend more toward the "drink purely to get drunk" side of the equation than average).

  Parent

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