On Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:16:11 -0500, Michael Dobony
wrote:

On Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:03:54 -0700, Oren wrote:

On Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:32:00 -0400, "Roemax"
wrote:

rice


Debunked.

See:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/birdrice.asp

Birds eat rice all the time - at least in rice fields.


Rice in rice fields are not dried. Look at the source. In one study 3 out
of 5 people prefer Pepsi. In another, 3 out of 5 people prefer Coke. In
another, 3 out of 5 prefer Dr Pepper. The first was funded by Pepsi. The
second, Coke. The third, Dr Pepper. Carefully study the source of the
"expert" or study. The information presented is of dubious reliability.


Never found a study on exploding birds, but Cornell University (lab of
ornithology) states:

"If birds eat uncooked rice, can it swell up in their throats and
stomachs and kill them?"

"Lots of birds eat uncooked rice in the wild. Bobolinks, sometimes
called rice birds, are a good example. While rice is okay for birds,
many wedding parties now throw bird seed instead."

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/Abo...irdFeeding.htm

Even bird watchers debunk these myths.

"You should not throw rice at the bride and groom at weddings because
birds eat it and it swells up in their stomach and kills them.
Sometimes the myth goes that it causes them to explode."

"Not true. If it were, there would be exploding bird stories all over
the national press every June. Think about it. Lots of birds feast in
rice fields every year, irritating rice farmers to distraction. If
eating rice caused birds to explode, most rice fields would look like
a popcorn machine in the harvest season, with little puffs and
explosions providing constant entertainment. Quite a vision, and one
that the press would never miss."

"And there is no difference between rice in fields and rice in bags
from the supermarket. Birds have no trouble digesting rice, or any
other "expanding" vegetable. I am all in favor of throwing birdseed at
weddings, which is what proponents of this myth urge as a solution. I
like the symbolism of throwing birdseed. But rice is fine, too."

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/si...ths/myths.aspx


Essentially, those comments support Snopes, ime.