Birds

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laramie

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Here is my question for all of you. Just how dangerous aree birds as predators? Whenever I have Wilbur outside for exercise and sun time, I am always right near him because I am afraid that a bird is going to think he is a snack. Am I being paranoid or do birds pose a threat? He isn't even a pound yet and I just worry about my little guy.

Thanks in advance everyone!:tort:
 

Yvonne G

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Yes sir-ree bob! Birds ARE very much a clear and present danger to baby tortoises.

Just the other day I was reading a post over on Shelled Warriors where a crow flew down into the yard (as the owner stood there watching), grabbed a baby tortoise and flew off with it.

The next day the person posted that she found her baby in her vegetable garden. Evidently the crow dropped it.

Depending upon what type of bird, they will fly over cement or rocks and drop the babies to break them open. While some birds just peck at them to break them open.

That's why we usually make wire covers for our outdoor baby pens.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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emysemys said:
Yes sir-ree bob! Birds ARE very much a clear and present danger to baby tortoises.

Just the other day I was reading a post over on Shelled Warriors where a crow flew down into the yard (as the owner stood there watching), grabbed a baby tortoise and flew off with it.

The next day the person posted that she found her baby in her vegetable garden. Evidently the crow dropped it.

Depending upon what type of bird, they will fly over cement or rocks and drop the babies to break them open. While some birds just peck at them to break them open.

That's why we usually make wire covers for our outdoor baby pens.

Agree.
 

laramie

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ALDABRAMAN said:
emysemys said:
Yes sir-ree bob! Birds ARE very much a clear and present danger to baby tortoises.

Just the other day I was reading a post over on Shelled Warriors where a crow flew down into the yard (as the owner stood there watching), grabbed a baby tortoise and flew off with it.

The next day the person posted that she found her baby in her vegetable garden. Evidently the crow dropped it.

Depending upon what type of bird, they will fly over cement or rocks and drop the babies to break them open. While some birds just peck at them to break them open.

That's why we usually make wire covers for our outdoor baby pens.

Agree.

Thanks Yvonne and ALDABRAMAN
 

Fernando

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Birds can sometimes work in packs as well. Depending on the bird type of course, they will work as a team to get the tortoise flipped over.
 

Laura

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crows, ravens, hawks, egrets, Herons....

There was one of those funniest video shows.. not very funny... but a kid was outside with his pet mouse i think.. it was climbing around on the top of its cage and the kids was right there... a hawk swoops down, grabs the mouse and flys off... I would have been horrified if that happened to me as a kid!

So yes! .. you MUST protect them.. it doesnt matter if you are nearby or not... secure pen so they cant run off with a wire top to let the sun in, keep the critters out!
 

dmmj

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here in California crows and ravens are working in groups to overturn largeer than hatch ling CDTs
 

drgnfly2265

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What do you think is a "safe weight". Like about how many pounds or what size do you think birds would give up trying to carry away a tort? This is a great topic, I always hover over Bowser when she is outside. I keep thinking I'm paranoid, lol. But she is getting bigger and maybe I don't have to be so protective and I might be able to leave her alone while she explores...
 

DesertGrandma

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Hawks and owls are of concern in your/my area Laramie. My neighbor had his 8 lb. Maltese picked up and dropped in his yard, breaking its leg. They weren't sure which, but it left talon punctures in the poor little thing.
 
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