Disneyland; survival of the fittest...

[Disneyguy85]

I have had second thoughts about making this thread, but I just find it to be so shocking that I just have to mention it. I will say right off the top that this story features the harsh realities of animals and nature, so if some of you are sensitive about that, please proceed with cation.

Yesterday I was at Disneyland and spotted a very unique-looking bird standing on a rock near the water next to the Frontierland bridge. Definitely not a Duck and definitely not a Egret. (I will try to post my crummy cell phone picture of it later).

Anyway, A few other people were looking at it too, and after a while of just looking at it as it stood there and did nothing, something that I did not notice at first caught its eye nearby in the water at the shoreline, and it made a bee line straight for it, I then realize that this bird flew towards a lone duckling. (I'll bet most of you know where this story is heading right?)

This bird picked it up and swallowed it. Now, while it had it picked up, the few people who had seen this bird were trying to stop it by yelling, but nothing doing. The few people who witnessed this were understandably shocked, saddened, and a little upset. To my knowledge I don't think that any children saw it happen. I myself was a bit shocked, and kind of wished that I haven't witnessed it. But in retrospect, I guess that's just nature...At least it happened quickly...and at least I now know that this was apparently a bird of prey.

So, I sincerely apologize if I upset anyone with this story, but I just had to mention it.
Does anyone else have any similar stories from Disneyland or WDW about animals in the parks and the harsh realities of nature's food chain?

[delsdad]

I have had second thoughts about making this thread, but I just find it to be so shocking that I just have to mention it. I will say right off the top that this story features the harsh realities of animals and nature, so if some of you are sensitive about that, please proceed with cation.

Yesterday I was at Disneyland and spotted a very unique-looking bird standing on a rock near the water next to the Frontierland bridge. Definitely not a Duck and definitely not a Egret. (I will try to post my crummy cell phone picture of it later).

Anyway, A few other people were looking at it too, and after a while of just looking at it as it stood there and did nothing, something that I did not notice at first caught its eye nearby in the water at the shoreline, and it made a bee line straight for it, I then realize that this bird flew towards a lone duckling. (I'll bet most of you know where this story is heading right?)

This bird picked it up and swallowed it. Now, while it had it picked up, the few people who had seen this bird were trying to stop it by yelling, but nothing doing. The few people who witnessed this were understandably shocked, saddened, and a little upset. To my knowledge I don't think that any children saw it happen. I myself was a bit shocked, and kind of wished that I haven't witnessed it. But in retrospect, I guess that's just nature...At least it happened quickly...and at least I now know that this was apparently a bird of prey.

So, I sincerely apologize if I upset anyone with this story, but I just had to mention it.
Does anyone else have any similar stories from Disneyland or WDW about animals in the parks and the harsh realities of nature's food chain?

Chances are that the duckling had been playing on the chains in the ques, climbing on the planters, or taking flash photos while on Pirates. You have now seen one of Disneys new "Rule Compliance Officers" in action.

[Disneyguy85]

Here it is;

[Disneyguy85]

Chances are that the duckling had been playing on the chains in the ques, climbing on the planters, or taking flash photos while on Pirates. You have now seen one of Disneys new "Rule Compliance Officers" in action.

That's awesome! :D:

[shinysparklybubbles]

While this didn't happen at a park, it's a "circle of life" survival of the fittest story that I wish I didn't see. DH and I were early for our child birth class at the local hospital so we were sitting in the car watching two little birds happily chirping and picking at some flowers in a planter. It was a very sweet moment and I thought it was just beautiful (keep in mind I'm 8 months pregnant and a hormonal mess)and all of a sudden a hawk swoops down grabs one of the birds and flies away. I'm horribly distraught over this, so we are trying to get into the building and another hawk comes by and starts going after the other bird. It was awful, thankfully someone scared it away. Ugh, it was awful :(

[darph nader]

Don't feel weird about it. A month or so ago over at board Y (or was it Z?),A cat over near Hungry Bear made a meal out of a duckling. Most peoples responce was,"circle of life". It happens all the time,we just don't see it.
Of course watching an Osprey swoop down and grab a 8lb bass,30' from you kinda pissed me of. :mad:

[Lasolimu]

I have had second thoughts about making this thread, but I just find it to be so shocking that I just have to mention it. I will say right off the top that this story features the harsh realities of animals and nature, so if some of you are sensitive about that, please proceed with cation.

Yesterday I was at Disneyland and spotted a very unique-looking bird standing on a rock near the water next to the Frontierland bridge. Definitely not a Duck and definitely not a Egret. (I will try to post my crummy cell phone picture of it later).

Anyway, A few other people were looking at it too, and after a while of just looking at it as it stood there and did nothing, something that I did not notice at first caught its eye nearby in the water at the shoreline, and it made a bee line straight for it, I then realize that this bird flew towards a lone duckling. (I'll bet most of you know where this story is heading right?)

This bird picked it up and swallowed it. Now, while it had it picked up, the few people who had seen this bird were trying to stop it by yelling, but nothing doing. The few people who witnessed this were understandably shocked, saddened, and a little upset. To my knowledge I don't think that any children saw it happen. I myself was a bit shocked, and kind of wished that I haven't witnessed it. But in retrospect, I guess that's just nature...At least it happened quickly...and at least I now know that this was apparently a bird of prey.

So, I sincerely apologize if I upset anyone with this story, but I just had to mention it.
Does anyone else have any similar stories from Disneyland or WDW about animals in the parks and the harsh realities of nature's food chain?

Murder most fowl!!!!!!

[Disneyguy85]

Don't feel weird about it. A month or so ago over at board Y (or was it Z?),A cat over near Hungry Bear made a meal out of a duckling. Most peoples responce was,"circle of life". It happens all the time,we just don't see it.

Oh, I'm over it at this point. Now, I just find it to be bizarre/fascinating. Its not every day that you see stuff like this!

The circle of life indeed.

But let me tell ya, the few people who saw it were quite off-put to say the least!

[felinefan]

According to http://www.whatbird.com, your killer bird is a Black-Crowned Night Heron. It's a year-round resident of these parts, conservation status is Least Concern, and it feeds on small invertebrates, crustaceans, vertebrates, mammals, eggs and young of other birds and plants. FYI, it also disgorges its stomach contents at would-be attackers when threatened.

[Disneyguy85]

According to http://www.whatbird.com, your killer bird is a Black-Crowned Night Heron. It's a year-round resident of these parts, conservation status is Least Concern, and it feeds on small invertebrates, crustaceans, vertebrates, mammals, eggs and young of other birds and plants. FYI, it also disgorges its stomach contents at would-be attackers when threatened.

Ooh...Good to know.

Thanks for the info.

That's a handy website.