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THE COAST — Anywhere there are regular crowds and tourists, birds take notice.
Dropped bits of funnel cakes, sandwiches and popcorn become a smorgasbord for pretty much any type bird that has found this kind of crumb paradise.
Even though there's eventually enough crumbs for everyone, this is real life and not a Disney movie full of caring and sharing animals. Things are rough on the streets and getting your share of the scraps when they're available is the only option. Sometimes rough is the only way things can be for wild animals.
But sometimes the violence isn't quite what you'd expect when it comes to birds.
If you've ever seen Hitchcock's "The Birds," (or have just seen a bird), it's clear that beaks and talons are sharp and exacting weapons. What else could a bird use as a means of defense?
Slap fights.
In this video, you'll see a man's hand holding sunflower seeds out to get birds to eat out of his hand. The main players, a mandarin duck and a pigeon, come quickly into play.
Although the duck isn't getting in the pigeon's way, the pigeon can't stand how much the duck is eating. And at second 13, the pigeon starts the fight with its first slap.
The drama continues for a few seconds more, and a clear winner emerges. Watch the video to see if the beak is mightier than the wing.
Friday's Have You Seen This?
