New Zealand wooden pigeons, famous for their alcoholism, get themselves drunk every day and drop them on the ground for others to pick up
In the forests of New Zealand, there is a unique bird known for its special "hobby". They are not ordinary pigeons, but large, brightly feathered New Zealand wooden pigeons. This bird is a ridiculous "drunk" drama every day, and it has become a unique local landscape. They eat rotten fruit and fall to the ground drunk, but no one dares to pick it up easily. What's the mystery behind this? Let's step into the world of New Zealand wooden pigeons and unravel this interesting and thought-provoking puzzle.
The New Zealand wooden pigeon, as the name suggests, is a member of the pigeon family. They prefer warm, humid or mild forest areas, and New Zealand happens to provide them with an ideal habitat. Compared to ordinary pigeons, the New Zealand wooden pigeon stands out from the crowd. They are much larger than the average pigeon, which is why they are affectionately called "big guys". In the world of pigeons, the New Zealand wooden pigeon is like a tall man in human society, always able to easily attract the attention of others.
In addition to its unique stature, the appearance of the New Zealand wooden pigeon is even more stunning. When exposed to the sun, their feathers take on an attractive metallic green color, and their chests are dotted with white feathers. This colour palette makes the New Zealand wooden pigeon stand out from the birds, like a gentleman in a gorgeous dress. Even more fascinating are their eyes, surrounded by a ring of white feathers, giving them a gentle and harmless feeling. It's no wonder they're known as the "richest of birds" and even won the title of New Zealand's Bird of the Year in 2018.
The New Zealand wooden pigeon is not only attractive in appearance, but also in its social skills. They are social animals and rarely act alone. In their free time, they like to fly around the trees, play and play, and make various calls from time to time, either in search of food or to attract mates. This behavior makes them known as "social experts" in the animal kingdom.
When it comes to food, the New Zealand wooden pigeon eats an amazing amount of food. They can eat half their body weight in one meal, which explains why they look so round and cute. However, it is this gluttonous habit that has led to their reputation as "drunkards".
If you're lucky enough to visit New Zealand, you're likely to spot a flock of New Zealand wooden pigeons lying down on the grass. Even when approached, they do not fly away as quickly as other birds, but do not move. At first glance, you might mistakenly think they're dead, but in fact, they're just "drunk".
Interestingly, the "drunkenness" of New Zealand wooden pigeons does not come from drinking, but from their unique eating habits. They prefer fruits that are about to rot over fresh and tasty ones. They specialize in picking large, ripe fruits and swallowing them in one bite. For the New Zealand wood pigeon, the sweetness of this fruit is just right.
However, they ignore an important fact: the fruit that is about to rot has already begun to ferment, and alcohol is produced in the process. When New Zealand wood pigeons consume these fruits in large quantities, alcohol naturally enters their bodies. What's even more interesting is that when these fruits enter the pigeon's stomach, in this closed environment, they ferment further, producing more alcohol.
After eating and drinking, the New Zealand wooden pigeon likes to lie on the grass and bask in the sun. Under the influence of alcohol, they quickly enter a drunken state, and even walking, let alone flying, is a problem. Some wooden pigeons even hang upside down on trees to enjoy the sun, but under the influence of alcohol, they fall from the trees from time to time.
This peculiar phenomenon has sparked many interesting observations and discussions. Some people even compare the New Zealand wooden pigeon with a human drunkard, saying that their behavior is quite similar. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, "Drinking makes people happy, but it also makes them lose their minds." This phrase seems to apply to our wooden pigeon friends as well.
However, it is surprising that despite how vulnerable and helpless these pigeons look, the locals are not free to pick them up at will. Why is that?
It turns out that the New Zealand wooden pigeon is a species unique to New Zealand and plays a vital role in the local ecological environment. They feed primarily on fruits, and their unique digestive system is able to digest hard husks. This means that by the time they excrete their seeds through their feces, they are ready to take root and sprout in a new place. This mode of transmission is essential to maintain and expand vegetation cover in New Zealand.
Not only that, but New Zealand wooden pigeons also play an important role in the local culture. In New Zealand tradition, the wooden pigeon is seen as a messenger between humans and the gods, able to bring good luck to people. This cultural heritage has deepened the love and respect for New Zealand wooden pigeons.
However, it is precisely because of the beauty and uniqueness of the New Zealand wood pigeons that they also face serious threats. Many hunters are attracted by their gorgeous plumage and will stop at nothing to catch them. At the same time, the expansion of human activities has also severely damaged their habitats. These factors led to a sharp decline in the population of wooden pigeons in New Zealand, which was once endangered.
Fortunately, people realized the seriousness of the problem in time. The New Zealand government lists New Zealand wooden pigeons as protected animals and has strict laws in place to protect them. By law, any disturbance or capture of New Zealand wooden pigeons is considered an offence and is subject to severe penalties.
There is a thought-provoking case: a passerby saw many drunkenness in the park
There is a thought-provoking case: a passerby saw many drunk New Zealand wooden pigeons in the park, and out of curiosity, he picked one up and took it home. This seemingly innocuous act had serious consequences for him – he was eventually sentenced to two years in prison. This case demonstrates the New Zealand government's commitment to protecting this rare bird.
The conservation of wooden pigeons in New Zealand is not only to maintain biodiversity, but also to protect the balance of the entire ecosystem. They play an integral role in forest ecosystems, maintaining vegetation diversity through food chains and seed dispersal. The loss of the New Zealand wood pigeon will have an incalculable impact on the entire ecosystem.
With the implementation of conservation measures, the population of wooden pigeons in New Zealand began to gradually recover. This is not only an affirmation of ecological protection work, but also provides valuable experience for the protection of other endangered species. New Zealand's experience shows that with the right approach, even endangered species can hope to thrive again.
The story of the New Zealand wooden pigeon also raises questions about animal behavior. Their "drunk" behavior, while comical as it may seem, is actually a survival strategy in nature. By eating the fermented fruits, they not only gain a wealth of nutrients, but are also able to avoid being detected by predators to some extent. This seemingly "stupid" behavior is actually wisdom that has been developed over a long period of time.
At the same time, the story of the New Zealand wooden pigeon also provides an opportunity for us to reflect on human behavior. In a way, their "drunk" behavior is quite similar to some phenomena in human society. Just as New Zealand wooden pigeons get drunk by eating fermented fruits, there are also examples of human society being "drunk" due to overindulgence in certain things. This may give us some inspiration as to be rational and temperate in our pursuit of happiness.
The conservation success story of the New Zealand wooden pigeon also shows us the importance of environmental protection. In the face of climate change and ecological destruction, protecting species like the New Zealand wood pigeon is not only about biodiversity, but also about protecting the planet we depend on. Every species is an indispensable link in the ecosystem, and the loss of any one could lead to the collapse of the entire system.
In addition, the story of the New Zealand wooden pigeon also gives us a vivid lesson in cultural preservation. In today's globalized world, it is particularly important to protect local characteristics and cultural traditions. The New Zealand people's cherishing of wooden pigeons is not only reflected in the legal level, but also in cultural heritage and daily life. This attitude is worth learning and learning from.
As we conclude this intriguing and thought-provoking story, we can't help but ask: are there creatures like the New Zealand wood pigeon that are as unique and in need of protection as we are? How do we balance development and protection? These questions deserve deep thought by each of us.
The story of the New Zealand wooden pigeon tells us that every creature on earth has its own unique way of survival and value. They may seem comical and even "unprofessional", but it is these seemingly unconscionable behaviors that make up the richness and diversity of the Earth's ecosystems. As masters of the Earth, it is our responsibility to understand, appreciate and protect these wonderful creatures.
Let's approach every species in nature with a more open and inclusive mind, because as the famous environmentalist John · Muir said, "When we try to strip something away, we find that it is inextricably linked to everything in the universe." Isn't the story of the New Zealand wooden pigeon the best interpretation of this sentence?