I’m a bird, don’t mess with me
WHEN we consider the ways in which animals defend themselves, a host of measures have been developed across the orders. It does beg the question: “what defence mechanisms have birds evolved?” After all, in general they appear a quite delicate, vulnerable group of animals. Rather surprisingly (or unsurprisingly, depending on which side of the fence you are sitting), birds have actually evolved some intriguing means of defending themselves.
Make like a snake
The burrowing owl exhibits a unique form of defence. These small owls, found widely in the Americas, dig a burrow or make use of an abandoned one in which to nest. Although the parents do
