It’s no secret that falcons are some of the most skilled hunters among birds, capable of stalking their prey from a distance and snagging them even when in midflight.
While their hunting tactics have served these fearsome fliers well throughout their existence, some species of falcons inhabiting an island in Morocco have developed a better way to make sure that they won’t go hungry.
In a study featured in the journal Alauda, Abdeljebbar Qninba, an ornithologist from the Mohammed V University in Rabat, has discovered how Eleonora’s falcons found on the island of Mogador make use of an unusual yet effective approach to hunting for prey.
Instead of killing their prey immediately using their powerful beaks or sharp claws like other raptors, Eleonora’s falcons choose to bring their victims back to their nests and stuff them in rocky crevasses. The hapless preys are removed of their flights as well as their tail feathers.
According to the report, the falcons’ victims, which include hoopoes, warblers and other smaller birds, are often left unable to move their wings or even use their dangling legs.
This method of crippling and imprisoning their prey is believed to be a means for Eleonora’s falcons to keep fresh food close by. This allows parents to feed their hungry offspring even when they chose to remain in their nest.
Other animals are also known to store food during bountiful periods in order to have something to eat when they encounter leaner times later on.
Read More: Techtimes