Thursday, August 12, 2010 ; What I learn today
I've just watched a Nat Geo Wild documentary on "Triumph of Life".
I've finally gotten the name of the Vampire Bird. It's called the mocking bird.
It has semi-long (about 5 to 6 cm), semi-sharp beak meant for pecking of seeds as its diet is on seeds.
Unlike most birds which get their source of water from fish (blood), the mocking bird has no source for water as it is residing on a faraway island. Hence, a few behavioural adaptations kick in:
1) It looks for abandoned eggs, pecks it to get water. It also realises that eggs are rich in nutrients.
2) As the number of abandoned eggs is limited and living things need water daily, it looks for other sources: the sea iguana. It starts eating the ticks on sea iguanas for water (blood as ticks suck blood). It accidentally pecks on the skin and causes a wound. Soon, it realises that wounds are a rich source of blood.
3) Not all animals have wounds and its water source runs dry again. Hence, it begins to peck wounds on other animals like birds for blood.
An interesting development whereby the purpose is "look for water".
Hope you enjoy this as much as I had.
Regards,
Mr Wan
posted by Allan at
8:08 PM
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