Birds Spreading Fires

[Chipchopper]

Some new evidence has emerged that birds of prey, in the Australian bush are dropping burning twigs on areas of dense vegetation, to start new fire outbreaks, in what seems to be to make small animals run out into open areas where they can be easily captured by birds of prey such as the kite.
I find this remarkable but not entirely surprising, as birds are often smarter than we often give them credit for.

[fiction-factory]

Interesting- it's something I'd never thought of. Where are they getting them from please chipchopper? Are they taking them from one fire zone to start another?

[Kidas]

Wow!

Proper peer-researched and all

http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700

They fly to areas of burning forest, pick up twigs and drop them in unaffected areas to flush out small prey.

Researcher heard anecdotal evidence a couple of years back, got criticised for it by established scientists, so set out to prove it. And he did.

Great story!

[Chipchopper]

Thanks Kidas, that answers many questions.

I'd love to see some footage.

[NoMercy]

I just can't imagine a bird would be happy to fly around with a burning twig in its beak.