Digging for worms
 

Just watched a blackbird in my back garden search out a worm .. then .. yuk .. eat the poor miserable wriggling thing, however, curious to know how they find them in the first place. Can't see any clues on the surface or 'owt.

Guess, like all animals, they increase their senses to search out the necessary food.

Ok .. could possible be a little bored.. still curious though.. :confused:

Re: Digging for worms
 

I dont know if its right but i got taught they do a 'rain dance'......dance on a patch of grass and the worms think its raining so they come out.....surprise surprise,they get the luxury of being eaten......



no rude comments please ;)

Re: Digging for worms
 

I see a large flock of landgulls (visiting from Whinny Hill I think) regularly descend on the playing field. They walk across the grass like a posse of policemen doing a fingertip search, all walking in the same direction

Re: Digging for worms
 

I'm with Kitty on this one. I was told as a child that the birds jump up and down, and their little feet pitter-pattering, tricks the worms into thinking it's raining.

Hence they come to the surface, only to be pulled off and gobbled by Mr Blackbird.

Re: Digging for worms
 

nice one birds lol dumb animals - i think not.:D

Re: Digging for worms
 

Mmmm .. that does sound quite feasable to me ... although don't think would need to convince the worms about the rain today ... :D

(Just wish someone had told that to the motorist today on puddle-swamped Asda car park that he didn't have to drive through it quicker than need be, to attract my attention, by soaking my left leg .. sat here steaming literally now :rolleyes:)

Thanks Miss Kitty .. think I believe that one.

Re: Digging for worms
 

yep its true the little birds tap on the ground and the silly suckers think its raining and pop out....good eh?

but why do the worms come out in the first place?
the water soaks through so why come up for it?

Re: Digging for worms
 

Found this
Ladywildlife's Common EarthWorm Page
see 2nd para 'to browse in leaves and grasses and to mate' - when grass is wet it will be better to wriggle a wet body in it.

Worms are also hermaphrodites - can breed without sexual encounter

Re: Digging for worms
 

Is being a hermaphrodite different from being asexual? I thought they were different but I'm unsure. I thought hermaphrodite was just an existance of both organs, where as asexual is the ability to produce offspring alone...

Re: Digging for worms
 

is it true though, that if ya chop a worm in half you get 2 worms???
emmm......yeh 2 dead ones!

Re: Digging for worms
 

Re: Digging for worms
 

define:hermaphrodite - Google Search
define:asexual - Google Search

Worms are hemaphrodites - ie can reproduce either with or without another worm's help

Re: Digging for worms
 

my brother always threw soapy water on the ground when he was going fishing to get the worms.......

Re: Digging for worms
 

why soapy water?

Re: Digging for worms
 

They need a wet slippy surface?= logical? (when you aint got legs):D