Weasel Rides Woodpecker in Viral Photo—But Is It Real?
Experts weigh in on a photograph of a least weasel attacking a European green woodpecker in flight.
Can weasels fly? According to an image captured by amateur photographer Martin Le-May, they can if they hitch a ride on the back of a woodpecker.
The picture shows a least weasel (Mustela nivalis) clutching on the back of a European green woodpecker (Picus viridis), likely as a result of a predatory attack gone awry. (Watch: "Hoarders: Acorn Woodpeckers.")
Le-May told BBC News he snapped the photo Monday afternoon while visiting Hornchurch Country Park in East London. In fact, his presence may have saved the bird's life.
"I think we may have distracted the weasel, as when the woodpecker landed it managed to escape and the weasel ran into the grass," he told the BBC.
As the viral video of the pig rescuing the baby
