Tiny Starlings Unite To Ward Off Predator

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While you have probably heard of the saying - Unity is Strength, you have never seen it in action better than in this amazing scene, captured by 69-year old amateur photographer, Giangiorgio Crisponi, from Sardinia, Italy.

According to Mr. Crisponi a lone Marsh Harrier - a medium sized raptor, found almost worldwide except for the Americas - was flying around when he caught sight of dinner - a large flock of juicy Starlings all feeding in trees by a lagoon in Cagliari, Sardinia. Believing it had found an easy prey, the raptor swooped in to try grab one.

However, what the the predator did not anticipate was what followed - Before he could do anything, the entire flock formed a tight pack and surrounded the bird, leaving it with no choice, but to fly away and look some place else for its meal.

According to Mr. Crisponi, this is not an unusual event for Starlings, a highly social animal that always travels in large packs, often exceeding over a million birds. What is unusual however, is to catch their intimidation technique on camera - There sure is strength in numbers isn't there?

Source: Dailymail.Co.Uk

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135 Comments
  • saraover 14 years
    wow it was aswome this story is the best
    • mikeover 14 years
      wow that nice.
      • . . .over 14 years
        Wooowww.
        • lolover 14 years
          lol
          • zhariaover 14 years
            perfect
            • yover 14 years
              that is so awsome dude i hat feet haha very funny i love to dance and sing yay me i rock the house but you dont i dont care but you do stop reading and do somrthing with your life thatnk you not i will not thank any body i dont konw what do you thin k i am crazy
              • cheergirlprincessover 14 years
                wow
                • I love lipe stickover 14 years
                  I have those birds at my dads zoo!!!
                  • mikeover 14 years
                    super super cool more cool than a duck.
                    • Eboniover 14 years
                      I am done for today bye see you on Thurday.at 10:57