Killer French Canal Fish

Usually - BIRDS eat FISH. 

Not the other way around. 

Here, the catfish swallow pigeons whole.

The building on the right - used to be the communal laundry. 

I mentioned this in the previous blog post. 

Here's the rest of the story:

It usually happens at the "lavoir", the medieval laundry area on the banks of the canal. 

In the evenings.

Lavoir - scene of impending doom - on the left.

One moment, the pigeons are peacefully taking a drink at the side of the canal.

Maybe even dipping their bird-feet into the water.

The next moment - a streak of silver, one large SPLASH - !

And - no more pigeon.

Not a feather, not a crooked birdie foot.

Nothing but a ripple of water.

No wonder the ducks are up on the path these days.

This fish is BIG.
And really good at catching birds.

The pigeons don't stand a chance.

"Muddy Waters" is the boat beside us. What are the chances?

So we began to look into it. 

Iris - visiting from Berlin with Mikey and Noah - found a video - and an explanation.

Mikey and Iris, waving their baguette from the bridge. Stan on the towpath, rolling up the "utilities". 

Turns out - these are large catfish, and - this is new behavior for them.

In some instances, the catfish comes entirely out of the water. 

Some catfish are successful 80% of the time! 

- One study at the University of Toulouse counted 52 attacks in 72 hours.

Mamma mia! Poor pigeons!

Across from us on the boat, it happens most every evening.

It's a bit disconcerting.

Sometimes we have to rescue the injured bird.

(Sometimes it's simply - R.I.P. pigeon.)

The barge Hatuey comes through. Oblivious to pigeon peril.

The 4 minute background video is - here

(Beware - scenes of death and violence included.)

Meanwhile, happy Bastille Day!

See? We're still learning something new - every day.