The chances you’ve seen or heard of a fish that eats birds are slim, but it’s a reality for these catfish. The Wels catfish has gone viral online as it actively hunts pigeons and other small birds. This bizarre predator-prey relationship has been a hot topic in research, highlighting the adaptability of these catfish. This video by Underwater World Official shows a catfish hunting for its pigeon prey. Read here to learn more about this unique predator!
Wels catfish are found in freshwater bodies of water throughout Europe.
©Martin Prochazkacz/Shutterstock.com
The Wels Catfish
Wels catfish are among the largest freshwater fish species in the world. Growing to roughly five to six feet long, they use their large size to hunt prey such as pigeons. Weighing around 100 to 300 pounds, they are dark green or black. They have tapered, eel-like bodies with wide mouths that can swallow large prey. Using their barbels—organs that resemble whiskers on their face—they sense the water around them when searching for their next meal.
The Wels catfish is a species native to central and eastern Europe and western Asia, but it has risen in popularity after being introduced in France. As an invasive species in France, these catfish have decimated the ecosystems of the rivers and waters they inhabit. Due to this, they have sought food in an unconventional way—on land. Pigeons that come to the water’s edge to drink unknowingly leave traces of oil from their feathers on the water’s surface. This helps the catfish locate and approach them more easily. With an explosive lunge, the catfish catches the pigeons off guard. Using its strong jaws, the catfish latches onto the birds and drags them into the water. The catfish swallows the pigeons whole, making the hunt a brutal and vicious endeavor.
Is Hunting Pigeons Common?
This style of hunting is not common at all and is unique to these catfish in France. Specifically in the Tarn River in southern France, the invasive catfish species has affected the ecosystem. This has made it important for the catfish to find another food source. So, while the Wels catfish can be found throughout Europe and Asia, this particular hunting behavior is rarely observed outside of France.
