[CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied S

[Brian Hiller]

Any chance the merganser in question was not fully healthy?  It would be reasonable to expect that the bird was wounded and lost by a hunter.  This would make the merganser more attractive as a target for the Gull.  Just a thought as to why a Gull, even a Greater Black-backed, might attack an adult merganser.
 
Brian Hiller
 
Windham, CT> From: rlbecker at SongStar.org> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org> Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 12:12:51 -0500> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker> > Kathy,> > Those were "little greenish puffballs" are easy for a Greater> Black-backed Gull to swallow. The merganser we saw was a full-grown> adult.> > Richard/CT> > On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:42:08 -0500, Kathy Van Der Aue wrote:> > :The greater black backs are deadly with the little eider ducklings in> Maine. > :It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish puffballs plucked out> from > :under the watchful eyes of the mothers and aunties...> :> :Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT> :kvda at optonline.net> :----- Original Message ----- > :From: <p.s.holden at comcast.net>> :To: <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>> :Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM> :Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted > :MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker> :> :> :> Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on> ducks. I> :> just learned something new!> :>> :> Thanks,> :> Pam> :>> :>> :> ----- Original Message ----- > :> From: "Richard L. Becker" <rlbecker at SongStar.org>> :> To: <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>> :> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM> :> Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser> :> Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker> :>> :>> :>> At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great> :>> Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a> :>> little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as> though> :>> the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The> :>> merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about> :>> fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull> turned> :>> the merganser belly up.> :>>> :>> Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in> Stamford> :>> this morning.> :>>> :>> Joan and Richard Becker> :>>> :>> Richard L. Becker> :>> Fairfield County, Connecticut> :>> www.songstar.org rlbecker at songstar.org> :>>> :>>> :>>> :>> _______________________________________________> :>> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association> (COA)> :>> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.> :>> For subscription information visit> :>>> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org> :>>> :>> :>> :> _______________________________________________> :> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association> (COA) > :> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.> :> For subscription information visit > :>> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org> > :> :> :_______________________________________________> :This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association> (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > :For subscription information visit> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org> :> > > > _______________________________________________> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
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