Usually - BIRDS eat FISH.
Not the other way around.
Here, the catfish swallow pigeons - and doves - whole.
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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.
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Lavoir - scene of impending doom - on the left. |
One moment, the birds 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 - !
Not a feather, not a crooked birdie foot.
Nothing but a ripple of water.
Nothing but a ripple of water.
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No wonder the ducks are up on the towpath these days. |
This fish is BIG.
He's really good at catching birds.
The pigeons don't stand a chance.
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"Muddy Waters" is the boat beside us. What are the chances? And they're great people! |
So we began to look into it.
Iris - visiting from Berlin with Mikey and Noah - found a video - and an explanation.
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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.
(Sometimes it's simply - R.I.P. pigeon.)
At times, 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.
These fish are BUSY.
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.)
Meanwhile, happy Bastille Day!