Alligator Gar versus large bird!

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shamrock

Piranha
MFK Member
Feb 26, 2006
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El Paso
My sister and I were arguing all weekend-it started when I mentioned setting up my pond again-and she mentioned that hawks would eat my fish-then I told her if I had an Alligator Gar there would be no way any bird would even attempt to eat it. She went on that many large birds have a wing span of 4 feet plus and how sharp their talons and claws were-I was like it is not possible gars in the wild get anywhere from 7-10 feet and weigh close to 200 pounds-I was like use common sense do you really think an eagle or large condor would have the strength to pull an full size gar and eat it-come on!
I actually think the Gar would eat the bird-What do you guys think?
 
Just watch out for the chickens with large talons (napoleon dynamite reference). Yes, when the gar is small, it runs the risk of getting eaten by a large bird of prey. Also, even though a bird might not be able to eat it, they can inflict serious wounds on fish.
 
what kind of bird of prey live in your area, bald eagles are the worst for water animals
 
shamrock;1844864; said:
My sister and I were arguing all weekend-it started when I mentioned setting up my pond again-and she mentioned that hawks would eat my fish-then I told her if I had an Alligator Gar there would be no way any bird would even attempt to eat it. She went on that many large birds have a wing span of 4 feet plus and how sharp their talons and claws were-I was like it is not possible gars in the wild get anywhere from 7-10 feet and weigh close to 200 pounds-I was like use common sense do you really think an eagle or large condor would have the strength to pull an full size gar and eat it-come on!
I actually think the Gar would eat the bird-What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

depends on the size of the gar...I doubt you are just throwing a 7' gar in there...heck, I doubt your gar would even get that big. depends on the type of bird as well. A bird could peck at the gar and it mamy not strike in which case the bird would kill it. A lot of people take precautions from this by adding netting around the pond...
 
KaraJo;1844878; said:
depends on the size of the gar...I doubt you are just throwing a 7' gar in there...heck, I doubt your gar would even get that big. depends on the type of bird as well. A bird could peck at the gar and it mamy not strike in which case the bird would kill it. A lot of people take precautions from this by adding netting around the pond...
Click to expand...

tht about sums it up. i made a stupid post and couldn't delete it. so now im just gonna second this
 
We have Great Blue Heron kill a lot of our 10-12" RBT just by biting them even if they aren't able to actually eat them. Cracker shells and electric fences work pretty well, too, but netting is probably the most practical for you. I doubt a bird would go after a very large fish, though.
 
Actually our argument was based in the wild with a full size gar and a full size eagle or condor-I know the thread is silly but my sister and I argued all afternoon about it and I thought I would get your guys opinion
 
Well for starters Condors lack the proper feet to grip and carry off an animal and they're scavengers. Osprey's, eagles and herons are about all you have to worry about in the bird department.
 
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