14 DAY TRIAL // It's downright impossible to tell just by looked at them, but great tit birds are not exactly cute and cuddly creatures that would never ever harm anybody. Well, anybody except for the insects they like to feast on as often as they get the chance.
On the contrary, wildlife researchers say that, as surprising as this may sound, the fact of the matter is that great tit birds are no strangers to acting like zombies. In a nutshell, it looks like they occasionally kill other creatures and eat their brains.
Little devils in disguise
As detailed by specialists who have taken the time to study these birds in their natural habitat, great tits currently populate parts of Africa and Asia. More often than not, they turn to seeds and insects when hunger starts circling them.
In fact, wildlife researchers estimate that some 90% of their diet comprises seeds and other plant material. The thing is that, once they get sick and tired of being vegetarians, great tit birds don't settle for the occasional worm.
No, Sir, these birds go the extra mile and slay other feathered creatures that they share their natural habitat with. What's more, they sometimes even grow as bold as to attack and kill bats unfortunate enough to cross paths with them.
Having found a bird or bat to their liking, they use their strong beaks to break through the unlucky animal's skull and eat its brain. Seeing how great tit birds are well equipped to open hazelnuts and acorns, working their way through one skull or another isn't all that difficult.
“The Great tit will attack small and weakly birds, splitting their skulls with its powerful beak in order to get to their brains; and it has even been known to serve a bat in this manner,” reads a paper authored by ornithologist Howard Saunders, as cited by Oddity Central.
What's interesting is that, according to some wildlife researchers, great tit birds don't just sit around waiting for another feathered creature or a bat to come their way. On the contrary, some say that they occasionally actively seek prey.
Are they a threat to humans?
Specialists say that, although a great tit bird's beak is not strong enough to penetrate a human skull, being attacked by such a vicious creature is not exactly a pleasant experience. Thus, although great tits cannot kill people, they can inflict serious injuries.
Otherwise put, trying to capture one and turn it into a pet is not such a good idea. Not unless one is quite convinced that they no longer have any use for their eyes, fingers and toes, that is.
