Wild Birds as Survival Food?

[mariobab]

Song above reminds me that people still trapping blackbirds and thrushes with deadfalls in some parts of my country.

 

[kage]

If you live in an area with seagulls they can easily be caught by fishing for them. They will catch food in the air if you throw it up to them. Do that a few times then throw a baited hook on line up and you have yourself a seagull.

I've also read about catching birds with guard feathers (such as quail) by baiting a plastic cup, etc. They put their heads in and the guard feathers catch the cup keeping the cup on their heads. Not being too bright they assume it's dark and go to sleep so you can just pick them up. I've never seen it in real life though, and don't know anyone who has.

For survival purposes I would cook all food in a soup to preserve the fat and nutrients. Use the organs too, as nasty as they taste to me. Boil for a while and crack open the bones to get out the marrow. Eat the bland meat and drink the soup to get the most bang for your buck. Of course having some spices or hot sauce with you or knowing some wild veggies always helps with the taste.

 

[runningboar]

I have eaten many different types of birds including song birds. Birds are very easy to clean, I don't pluck them but skin them and the feathers come off with the skin, also a pair of scissors is, IMO, better than a knife for cleaning birds.

With the right traps birds are very easy to trap, they are easy to kill with a slingshot or blowgun or even a thrown rock or stick and they are extremely plentiful. All of which makes them a good candidate for "survival" food in my book.

BTW Robins are very tasty, be sure to check local laws, most song birds are protected. Chris

 

[WolfTracker]

My cat refers to them as "flying treats".

 

[akabu]

so did one of my dogs