| According to Wikipedia, “Camouflage is a method of crypsis (hiding).” It is immensely important for birds to hide before a fight. Some birds, such as the House Martin, hide in chimneys before launching surprise attacks on any passing goldfinches. Others, such as the Sparrowhawk, attain a geostationary orbit some 15 miles into space before catching Woodpigeons at very close to the speed of light. Both of these things are a form of hiding. However, the Magpie and the Woodpecker, neither of ‘em, use these strategies. They both use camouflage. Let’s look at the Woodpecker first. |
| The Woodpecker’s camouflage strategy. |
| The woodpecker uses the classic First World War “dazzle” pattern, used by battleships. |
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| The Magpie’s camouflage strategy. |
| The magpie uses the newer “Woodland” camouflage used by the German army. |
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The pecker’s strategy is entirely based on confusing the pie. The Magpie is supposed to think there is a World War 1 battleship in the back garden. The Magpie’s strategy is to blend into the background, thus rendering itself invisible to the Woodpecker.
Woodpecker strategy.
For : Initially confusing for a Magpie, as the sight of a World War 1 battleship would surprise far more intelligent creatures, such as me.
Against : The Magpie, thinking the Woodpecker is a battleship, would probably sit on it and have a dump.
Magpie strategy :
For : The camouflage makes the Magpie look like some sort of Magpie shaped soldier.
Against : There aren’t any Magpie shaped soldiers, so it wouldn’t really work. Plus, if the Magpie had spent a bit more time camouflaging itself it could have included some of the orange bits.
Result
Neither bird gains any advantage from their camouflage strategies. In fact, both strategies are next to useless.
First Round, 1 point each.
