This is a Johnny Rook. At least that’s what the Falkland Islanders call them. Their more official name is the striated caracara, and this one was having a heck of a time trying to break open a gentoo egg that had been pilfered from a nearby penguin colony. All the Johnny Rooks, in fact, seemed to have poor technique when it came to cracking eggs. The other main egg burglars in the Falklands, the skuas, had no problem completing the task. They would impale the egg with their pointed beaks in a single stab. The Johnny Rooks, however, have hooked beaks and therefore employ a far less effective strategy by using their talons. It was as if they were playing soccer, as they kicked the egg from one bird to the other, each trying to keep it to themselves and each failing to crack what appeared to be a very hard egg. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 210mm) ISO 400, f/5 at 1/2000th of a second
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This is a Johnny Rook. At least that’s what the Falkland Islanders call them. Their more official name is the striated caracara, and this one was having a heck of a time trying to break open a gentoo egg that had been pilfered from a nearby penguin colony. All the Johnny Rooks, in fact, seemed to have poor technique when it came to cracking eggs. The other main egg burglars in the Falklands, the skuas, had no problem completing the task. They would impale the egg with their pointed beaks in a single stab. The Johnny Rooks, however, have hooked beaks and therefore employ a far less effective strategy by using their talons. It was as if they were playing soccer, as they kicked the egg from one bird to the other, each trying to keep it to themselves and each failing to crack what appeared to be a very hard egg.
Ineptitude gives hope to —- Helpless who dream of the future —- Weighed drama in our hearts .
A rook is never a nice guy. And he usually gets away with it.
I love the perplexed look on his/her face. It’s a great shot.
Great photo. I would have loved to see them in action!
looks like he is trying to play ball with egg, )may be need s some help, to learn new way, so eat, and have dinner, before he strave to death.
“i think this guy needs to evolve.” -Charles Darwin
Fascinating!