by Ryan Ponto | Aug 30, 2016 | Bird Netting
You’re on the edge of a riverbank, enjoying the view, the cool freshwater misting around you. Suddenly a monstrous catfish — 15 times your size — leaps out of the river, beaching in front of you. In one quick gulp, it sucks you down its gullet and then retreats back into the water.
Fish belong in the water, right? What business do they have leaping out of their world and into ours? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the surprisingly fascinating, dangerous and mysterious world of leaping, jumping and gliding fish. From skewering swordfish and breaching sharks to the alleged urethra-bound candiru, nature provides more than a few mind-blowing specimens of note.
Thankfully, you are not a mouse. If you were, this might be your fate along Australia’s Ashburton River. Scientists surveyed 18 lesser salmon catfish there and found large quantities of spinifex hopping mice in their guts. They published their findings in the Journal of Arid Environments. From other studies, we know that similar small mammals made up around 4 percent of this catfish’s diet. But this is the first report of these catfish devouring high levels of terrestrial mammals.
Both the lesser salmon catfish and the spinifex hopping mouse are common in northwestern Australia, but it was previously thought that this catfish species primarily ate insects, crustaceans and plants. But 44 percent of the 18 fish sampled had mice in their stomachs. Of those, the mice were about 95 percent of their stomach content. Two of the fish even had three mice each in their bellies. Catfish may be omnivorous, but snacking on mice is considered unusual. So how did they get there?
The researchers have two theories. The most likely is that heavy rains may have flooded the underground burrows of these mice, pushing them into the river. So rather than being gobbled up on the river’s edge, they drowned to death in their home and then the catfish had a fancy feast.
The other possibility is that these catfish are adapting, much like their larger cousins Silurus glanis. Researchers found that the larger catfish, displaced from their native habitat, were beaching themselves to eat pigeons, and 28 percent of the time they successfully captured one. Even more remarkable? They risked being stranded on the riverbank to do it. But the high-energy meal of a pigeon goes a long way when you’re a hungry catfish, so it must have been worthwhile. Maybe these lesser salmon catfish are making the same gambit in hopes of scarfing down some hopping mice?
Rest assured, catfish won’t be eating us humans anytime soon. But we still recommend that you avoid “noodling” in Australia. What’s noodling you ask? It’s when you wade into the water, feel around for a catfish hole, shove your hand in, wiggle your fingers around and wait for one to bite your hand. This type of fishing is mainly practiced in America, and it can be dangerous. Catfish are strong enough to pull a person underwater, especially if you’re wearing gloves that get caught on their teeth. They can also twist around and rip the flesh right off your bare hands.
But hey, at least we’re not being devoured off the side of a riverbank … or drowning underground before being picked apart by bloodthirsty catfish. In the meantime, human researchers hope to investigate this food cycle further, to make sure the local ecosystem hasn’t been thrown off-balance.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Aug 29, 2016 | Bird Netting
PIGEONS droppings (pigeon poo) are “not” causing a nuisance to members of the public, according to Barrhead’s local authority.
East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) has responded to calls from members of the public and a local councillor for more anti-pigeon measures at Barrhead Train Station.
Commuters claimed that the ground around the station was slick with pigeon poo – and that they often ran under the bridge for fear of “raining poo”.
The council claims that it had plans to instal pigeon proof netting at the bridge last year – but essential works to the bridge paid heed to the plans.
However ERC now says that while it does not deem the birds to currently be a nuisance, it will be taking precautionary measures to prevent the bridge’s pigeon populations from booming.
A spokeswoman for ERC said: “East Renfrewshire Council had plans in place to install netting to the Barrhead rail bridge in April last year however due to essential repairs having to be carried out by Network rail, the installation had to be delayed.
“Our Environmental Health team have been monitoring the rail bridge since the essential works have taken place and do not deem there to be any level of nuisance from the pigeons currently or health risk to the public.
“This however could deteriorate should more birds appear, so as a precautionary measure proofing work will be carried out.
“A suitable contractor will carry out the installation of netting in mid-October 2016.”
Network Rail recently completed a £1 million overhaul of the 1900s structure on Paisley Road, forcing months of road delays.
During the renovation the bridge’s resident pigeon population was shifted.
Independent councillor Danny Devlin previously said: “They are leaving an awful mess and it’s just disgusting.
“I have received plenty of complaints from my constituents about the constant barrage that they have to endure when they risk walking under that bridge at any time of the day.
A quick reconnaissance of the street reveals slick patches of pigeon poo on the pavement below, and as well as a hygiene hazard it is claimed that the dung also represent a fall hazard.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Aug 28, 2016 | Bird Netting
A couple has just said heart-wrenching vows and exchanged rings. After walking down the aisle together, they step outside for one more wedding ritual. As the wedding party counts down from five and the couple look to the skies, two white doves took flight out of a small cage and soar into the clouds.
#Terrence and Rotoniya Kendrick, Mississippi natives and owners of Perfect Flight White Dove Releases, have started giving events a special touch. Perfect Flight began in Farmhaven, Miss., which is about 10.5 miles northeast of Canton, in July 2014. The couple started out raising chickens, but a neighbor, Albert Brown, later introduced them to pigeons. Brown showed them how to train and care for the birds, which later motivated the Kendricks to start their dove-releasing business.
#”(Brown) made me look at it from a fun perspective,” Terrence says.
#Terrence says he has loved birds since he was a kid.
#”We’ve had all kinds of birds-—parakeets, ducks, turkeys and guineas, which are a type of fowl,” he says.
#His passion for managing his own business and building something from the ground up now is in full flight. The Kendricks have a total of 70 pigeons with 20 new birds arriving soon. Their goal is to reach 100 birds by the end of September.
#The average number of doves released is three, with four for funerals and two for weddings. The most doves they have released at once was nine.
#Although the Kendricks often work ceremonials events like weddings and funerals, they are not limited to any specific type of affair. They can release doves at varied events such as birthdays, 5Ks and
memorials.
#The Kendricks have a precise way of pampering and training their nest of feathered friends. The monthly upkeep consists of deworming and medicating each pigeon for salmonella and other diseases. To keep them clean, the Kendricks simply set a pan of water out, and the pigeons dive in for a nice bird bath.
#”It’s important to keep a routine regiment to keep your birds healthy because they often come in contact with many other birds in flight,”
Terrence says.
#Training for the birds starts while they are young. They are kept locked away for a certain amount of time, and the Kendricks only let them out when it’s feeding time.
#The more the birds fly out, the more they will get used to their environment, which makes it easier for them to find their way home. Terrence also has whistles that trigger them to fly back home.
#Although they take flight often, they sometimes become skittish. The Kendricks get a laugh at the pigeons unexpectedly becoming slightly fearful of flying out and deciding that they do not want to fly on cue.
#Pigeons have a great sense of direction and know when and where to come back, Terrence says.
#”It’s a God-given instinct that they have, that scientists have yet to figure out,” Terrence says.
#As with many jobs, the couple’s field of work has an unpleasant side. Often, when the pigeons are released at some events, they do not return on the same day. Luckily for the Kendricks, the pigeons legs now have bands, which have numbers in case the birds are found. In other cases, some pigeons fall prey to larger birds, but Terrence says that if you keep the pigeons healthy, they’ll find a way home.
#The Kendricks tell a story about a woman who was a paraplegic who made plans to have doves released at her funeral.
#However, instead of waiting until her funeral, she had the birds released outside of her home for both her and her daughter to enjoy.
#”The best part about our job is seeing smiles and the joy on people’s face as they watch the doves fly,” Rotoniya says.
#When they are not releasing birds, the Kendricks tend to their eight acres of land, organizing their garden or raising their chickens, something they consider everyday life.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Aug 27, 2016 | Bird Netting
The wife of a South Croydon motorcyclist who died after he was hit by pigeon has said he was the “rock of the family”.
Mahnaz Niazi, 34, was at home when police knocked on her door to tell her the tragic news that her 35-year-old husband Ashar had died in a crash.
It is believed Ashar, while riding his “dream bike”, a Yamaha R1M, was hit by a pigeon as he travelled down the A22 in Godstone with three friends on August 14. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mahnaz, who will now have to raise their two children, Aisha, 6, and Yaseen, 4, without her husband, says the loss has had a heartbreaking impact on their family.
She told the Croydon Advertiser: “He was really hands on with the kids, always helping out a lot, putting them to sleep and making them breakfast.
“The children doted on their father. It’s a really big change in our lives now and it’s going to take time to deal with.
“He was such a positive person, he really helped me whenever I was down, putting a really positive spin on things.
“But he was rational and good with problem solving – he was the rock of the family.”
The local Muslim community has come together to support the family since the death of Ashar, who was devoted to his faith, praying five times a day and completing the Hajj in his younger years – a mandatory religious pilgrimage to Mecca to be completed once in a Muslim’s lifetime.
The couple, who were married 12 years, met while studying at the University of Liverpool.
Before he died, Ashar was working as an IT engineer for Education First, who have since planted a tree in memory of his life.
“He did everything a good Muslim could do,” said Maznah.
“It’s been heartwarming to have the community come together. I didn’t realise that so many people knew him, they’re asking me if I need help with anything.”
Ashar trained for the difficult Cisco certification, a qualification in IT networking, studying at weekends to complete the course.
Mahnaz, a learning support assistant, said: “He was one of those people who didn’t have to study hard and would do well.”
Close friend Asir Choudbury has also paid tribute.
Asir said about Ashar: “He had an energy and charisma that he transferred to everyone around him.
“This tragedy has taken away somebody who put his family and religion before all else.”
A charity fundraiser was launched after his death. To donate to the Penny Appeal in Ash’s memory, visit the Just Giving page.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Aug 26, 2016 | Bird Netting
A fire which tore through a South Shields allotment killing 60 pigeons has been confirmed as arson by police. Fire fighters were called to the site in Holder House Way, South Shields, at 12.30am on Tuesday to tackle the blaze. Crews from South Shields, Hebburn, Marley Park and Washington stations, took three hours to extinguish the fire and were called back to the allotment at around 11.40am when the blaze began to smoulder again. Northumbria Police has confirmed the fire was stared deliberately. A spokesman said: “It has now been established the fire was started deliberately and is being treated as arson. “Enquiries are on-going. Any witnesses should ring Northumbria Police on 77 060916 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
