[wisb] Mink Kills Cormorant
- From: Evan Barrientos <emb326@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Wisbirdn <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 17:29:54 -0500
Think those cute little Minks just eat crayfish and rodents? Think again.
Today in Sister Bay, Door County, I was sitting on a dock by Lake Michigan when
I saw a Double-crested Cormorant swimming on the water flapping one wing and
unable to lift its head above the water. It managed to struggle towards a
breakwater and I ran around the marina hoping to reach the bird before it
drowned. When I got to the breakwater and climbed down to the edge of the
water, I eventually spotted the bird sprawled out a rock. It's head was jerking
and I thought it was still trying to lift it, but then I noticed the brown
furry thing on its neck. A mink was latched onto its neck trying to drag it
further into the boulders! For the next 20 minutes I peered down at the Mink
struggling to drag its prey, making very little progress. I was so close that
at one point the mink shook and the water on its fur flew into my face. I did
manage to get some photos and videos, which I will post when I get home.
Although I never saw the Mink attack the cormorant, I'm deducing that it has a
strategy of hiding in the breakwater rocks, waiting for cormorants and other
birds to swim by, and then jumping out and latching on to their necks and
drowning them. Apparently they are known to kill waterfowl occasionally, but I
had no idea!
Good birding,
Evan####################
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