# @science on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRHkSOZDVTk
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37016171-science-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7a16ae50b8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-16T13:00:23.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Science 🧬 (@science) — https://gondola.cc/science

## Caption

Thankfully, the Firehawk’s destructive behavior is relatively uncommon, and you would rarely see it.⁠
This is largely due to the observer’s necessity to be in front of the fireline and get close enough to watch the controlled burn when the raptor practices its prey-capturing technique.⁠
There are few, if any, photos of the behavior, and it has been passed down through eyewitness accounts from Aborigines who have tended the fires from generation to generation.⁠
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The Firehawk uses the fire to help it locate its prey as the flames drive out insects and small animals. A bigger fire can help perpetuate a feeding frenzy as lizards, insects, and small birds flee for safety.⁠
If the Firehawk can spot some prey trying to hide from the flames, the burning sticks spread the fire and drive them out, right into the bird’s path.⁠
In effect, the Firehawk welcomes a fire as it can soar then and perches above the flames and picks the frightened prey it wants to force to flee and create easy food collection.⁠
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#hawk #australianfirehawk #firehawk #birds #bird #biology #sciencefacts⁠

## Stats

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## Tags

sciencefacts, australianfirehawk, firehawk, bird, biology, hawk, birds

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