It appears that the preference shown for bird prey by newborn greens is essentially “hard-wired” into them at birth. Field studies have shown that greens in their first year of life feed almost exclusively on shore bird and water bird prey, gradually taking more mammalian prey in the second year.

As Jud pointed out, the neonates we have produced will invariably shy away from or ignore mammal prey items in the beginning unless bird scented. There are rare exceptions, but this is the overwhelming pattern. I have even seen on numerous occasions, newborn greens show an almost defensive reaction when a rodent is placed in front of them. This makes sense as most mammals that young greens encounter at the waters edge are likely to view neonate greens as prey items. Small water birds would obviously be a much less dangerous and more easily subdued prey item, and more abundant as well. That is probably why the “holy grail” prey item to get young greens started is duckling.

Kelly

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