We have ducks, geese, swans, and various other water birds on the lake at different times of the year. Hawks, bass, and turtles (and others) predate especially on little ducklings.
We have ducks, geese, swans, and various other water birds on the lake at different times of the year. Hawks, bass, and turtles (and others) predate especially on little ducklings.
[quote=TBPJr]I don't think "predate" is a verb form for predation or predator, or a substitute for "prey" as a verb
I think that the word as used by the Rhett is quite correct as used. This is shown as the second meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. Quite fits what he is saying.
Bytheway, excellent photo in my humble opinion
LittleRed (Ron)
predate verb [ I or T ] /prɪˈdeɪt/ specialized to kill and eat another animal: Some species of bat predate small mammals. Possums will predate on baby birds and eggs. See also predator predation
Whether the hawks, bass, and turtles (and others) got there before the ducks or they eat them, it's a nice scene.
Yes Jerry, up here in the north the Snapping Turtle, along with a full grown Muskellunge or Great Northern Pike can be/are the scourge of the breeding ponds. Many of our very young Ducks, Loons, Mergansers and Swans are but a tasty tidbit to them. Much like the Gators of the southern states whom also have a taste for a good meal of poultry. Once saw a large gator on a canal in Shark Valley Florida take down a adult Great Blue Heron in one quick lunge.
Whether the hawks, bass, and turtles (and others) got there before the ducks or they eat them, it's a nice scene.
I've seen several little ducklings following their Mom one day. A day later there were less, and the next day even fewer. It continues. A duck's loss is a hawk's chicks gain, eh?