Today I poped down the shop and on my way home noticed two ravens (I'm gussing here) once I got close they flew off, then I noticed the dead lorikeet... Being a stick beak I went over to have a look at it and noticed it was untouched apart from the heart!!!! I take it it's the best part of the bird? I always fancies the breasts myself :/
If you ask me, I would say, the Lorikeet wasn't killed by the Ravens, but they were going to turn the dead bird into a nice meal. They just started to have a feast, when you disturbed them. They will have come back later to enjoy the free meal. Nothing is vasted in nature, only humans do exploit and vaste.
M-L
My experience with Ravens is that they like the softer internal organs, and tend to only eat outer tissue once it is well decayed. Here in Tasmania, it is easy to see Ravens feasting on carrion (roadkill) often leaving a fresh relatively intact carcass alone, preferring those with severe gross trauma, I guess these are easier to eat. We do animal rescue, and although I did not witness this, it was reported last week, that Ravens were attacking an injured Cormorant, which was still alive, so they will attack larger species in certain circumstances. I guess they are oportunistic feeders.
We place native animals which require euthanising (only injured, not sick - they get burried) in a place near a Wedge Tailed Eagles nest, initially there appears to be pecking to get to the internal organs (I presume ravens) but after 24-36 hours nothing can be seen, no fur, no bone, nothing. Some of these are large animals - a Wallbaby for example about 15kg. We assume the WTE's carry the carcass away, but have not yet seen this occur (I am trying, but my timing is not good). The same process is apparent with a few birds, which have needed to be put down. There is also a family of Devils near by, but I am led to believe, they will eat where they find food, only sometimes dragging it away, and you will see remnants of fur and bone in their faeces, as they eat everything.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Dale, i assume the animals are not given the "green dream" needle? and then fed to the birds, i believe that practice could kill other wildlife?
Don't quote me, but where i worked, anything given a needle had to be frozen then buried?
What method of euthanasia?
Cheers
Thanks HendoNT, I am not qualified for the green needle, so animals are not given any lethal injection (unless taken to the vet), we use other means - large animals are shot, smaller animals and birds, a single solid blow to the head with a very heavy object. This is very quick and humane (probably does not seem that way, but I assure you it is as humane as a bullet) It can be dangerous to use a firearm on small victims. Only animals which are trauma victims go to "eagle food". Any unknown cause are buried (we get a lot of toxoplasmosis, and have had a couple of wombats with severe mange), at a depth where there is little risk of them being dug up. This task is not for the faint hearted, but always with the animals best interests in mind. If i have any doubt with my assessment, they get a mandatoy ride to the vet
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Hey thats good news! just asking! and hope it probably raises a good point about care of wildlife (and the realities of the mortality rates and the "disposal" of carcasses, and assorted "cute" critters that come along in these places of care, its not all cutesy joeys, and koalas,there are lots of sad cases and such in between, and hard choices too, eh?
I have worked in the wildlife care area, and yes, got no issue with a short sharp blow as being a necessary method!
Very professional, Dale. That sounds like an excellent operation you have going there.