r/AnimalsBeingStrange • u/FierceBadRabbits • 2d ago

Clumsy animal Weird bird

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I spotted a fledging Mourning Dove sitting in the left lane of a busy street this morning. I pulled over to rescue it, and moments before I could get it, a speeding SUV ran it over. I drove home crying and went to my backyard to feed the birds. And I found this. After unsuccessfully attempting to free her big fat head from my “squirrel-proof” feeder, I drove her to my vet as she CONTINUED TO EAT MY BIRDSEED THE ENTIRE TIME. Shout out to my local vet who knocked her out, got her out of the feeder, gave her fluids, and released her far from my backyard. How was your morning? Any rat-proof feeder recommendations?

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u/Coffin_Dodging 2d ago

Chilli powder coating the seeds before putting them out really helps

Birds are immune to the effects of capsaicin, the chemical that makes peppers spicy, because they lack the receptors that mammals use to sense the "heat".

This allows birds to eat chili peppers and disperse their seeds, which is beneficial for the plants

22

u/FierceBadRabbits 2d ago

Thank you. I will definitely do that going forward.

13

u/SkookumFred 2d ago

Dropping in to say you're an awesome person. First a dove then a rat. I hope you treat yourself to something awesome. Most certainly well deserved !!!!

8

u/FierceBadRabbits 2d ago

Thank you. I’m feeling absolutely terrible about the dove. I wish I had gotten to her in time.