Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 22:57:37 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Robert Anderson Subject: Bizarre Bird and Bat Interaction Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Hello, This is a general bird observation in the DC metro area. I realize that it did not occur in MD but wanted to share it and get feedback. I went to Monticello Park in Arlington VA on my lunch hour today. Not many migrants, but I had a very nice view of a Black-throated blue at eye level. No other warblers. The most surprising observation was an interaction between a RB woodpecker and a bat! I heard a sharp chipping sound above me. I looked up to see what I thought were 2 birds challenging each other beak to beak on the trunk of a tree 30 feet up. After a few moments of fighting in the air they separated. The bird returned to the tree and the other individual, wings spread, floated gently down like a leaf to the ground about 12 feet from me. I knew it was a bat before it hit the ground. It landed on its back wings still spread. It did not close its wings or turn over. It hardly moved. I think the RBW pecked it severely enough to paralyze it (beyond a stunning). I watch it for about 5 minutes...occasionally tossing a pebble a few feet from it to see if it was still alive or it could get up....it opened its mouth and tried to look around. it did not roll over...it did not even close its wings. I chose not to get too close to it in case of potential rabies....Believe me I have handled bats in the past an am not afraid of them... but this behavior was unusual. I went off and birded for another 20 minutes and then came back to check on the little guy. Still in the same position and location and fading a little more. Wingspan about 9 inches, body length 4 inches. Brown fur. I think the RBw most likely surprised it in an under-bark roost and things got out of hand (or wing). Those woodpeckers have strong necks and know how to use their bills. Poor little brown bat. Nature is rough. Bizarre observation. Has anyone herd or seen such an interaction. Rob Anderson Washington DC _________________________________________________________________ Get MSN 8 Dial-up Internet Service FREE for one month. Limited time offer-- sign up now! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================