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Re: Murder/Suicide of Starlings in Easton

From:

Edward Boyd

Reply-To:

Edward Boyd

Date:

Wed, 20 May 2009 04:53:33 -0400

It's a shame that they will be a recipient in this year's Darwin awards. Why 
couldn't they pass that trait off to all the rest of that species in the 
U.S. before joining the choir invisible?

Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Les Roslund" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:16 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Murder/Suicide of Starlings in Easton


This morning while waiting at a street light in downtown Easton, I noticed
two European Starlings in violent combat.  They had locked bills - probably
each having firm hold of one mandible of the the other - and tumbled through
the air in free-fall until they hit the pavement in the lane beside me.
Both insisted on holding tight as they flopped around and up and down on the
pavement.

Then the light turned - and as I left the scene, I watched through rear-view
mirror and saw that the birds stayed locked in combat during the approach
and passing of the first car in that lane.  Somehow, they got under a tire,
and both were laying dead on the road after the car had passed.

Which one was the instigator?  Who would not give up?  With each holding a
mandible, it seems that both would have to yield in order for them to
separate.  Separation was not accomplished - it was not clear that either
bird tried to separate - so the world now has just a couple less Starlings
to kick around.

Les Roslund
Talbot County
Easton MD 21601