Science

Judi Lynn

(160,644 posts) Mon Jun 18, 2018, 01:05 AM Jun 2018

Brockie: Citizen scientists, let's study clever sparrows

Brockie: Citizen scientists, let's study clever sparrows
BOB BROCKIE

Last updated 05:00, June 18 2018

I wrote about clever sparrows a couple of weeks ago, but have since discovered that researchers at Waikato University have been on to these birds for some time.

Honours student Mike Davy has been testing sparrows pinching sugar sachets from his campus cafe for over a year.

As soon as sugar is placed on the tables, the birds pull the sachets out of their containers, tear the ends off them and shake the sugar out before pecking it off the tables or the ground.

If several birds are competing for the packets, a sparrow will fly off with one to rip open some distance away.

More:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/104723238/.html

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Brockie: Citizen scientists, let's study clever sparrows (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jun 2018 OP

Clever sparrows? PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2018 #1

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,908 posts)

1. Clever sparrows?

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Mon Jun 18, 2018, 03:54 AM

Jun 2018

Not the ones nesting outside my front door this year.

All of their chicks have fallen out of the nest, or perhaps been kicked out. I don't know for sure since I didn't witness what happened, but I do know they had four chicks a couple of weeks ago, and as of today none. The worst bird parents ever. It will be interesting to see if they start a second family, since in the past they've (or the sparrows who've shown up to claim the nest) have always raised two families each year.

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