Subject: Do birds kill turtles?
Date: Feb 16 02:25:45 1999
From: tuisto at oz.net - tuisto at oz.net


Tweeties:

On Wednesday I stopped in Seward Park, and there on the shore by the
tennis courts I saw gulls and crows pecking away at what appeared to be a
turtle. Disturbing their fun, I approached and found the shell of a
red-eared slider, about 10 inches or so long and picked remarkably clean:
the tail and some skin were still attached and looked quite fresh, but the
head, legs, and almost every trace of internal organs were gone.
I suppose a reasonable scenario is that the turtle died, washed up on the
beach, and was picked clean, but I had the odd sense that I was witness to
"fowl play". Could the gulls have pecked the turtle to death? Could a heron
or eagle have done him in and left the carcass for the scavengers? Does
anyone know if birds kill adult turtles?
Although turtles aren't uncommon in Seward Park in summer, I don't recall
ever seeing any evidence that birds were interested in them. I don't think
I've seen them out in winter before, and I have assumed that they
hibernate, although a quick check of several books failed to confirm or
deny this for red-eared sliders. Does anyone have any guesses as to how
this turtle ended up as lunch for gulls and crows on a February afternoon?

Paul Talbert
Seattle
tuisto at oz.net