Black backed jackals are remarkable for their adaptability to survive in varied and harsh environments. They are exceptionally resourceful feeders and can come up with very interesting ways to find food. The jackals of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are no exception and are renowned for mastering the art of hunting birds around the water holes with an unusual tactic. Over time the jackals have noticed that birds congregate at the water holes in the mornings and afternoons and worked out a very bold strategy to take advantage of it. We were fortunate enough to spend an hour at a water hole in the park watching one jackal going about hunting birds in this fascinating manner. The jackal would lie in the shade not too far from the water, acting as if it is resting and not doing much. Once enough birds gathered around the water the jackal would get up and slowly approach the birds. The majority of birds were sandgrouse and doves. These birds were at their most vulnerable while drinking. The jackal would focus on one bird and suddenly charge towards the water hole in attempt to grab it. The jackal made three attempts, narrowly missing every time with the birds bursting away in flight. It all seemed hopeless but the jackal showed immense persistence, determination and patience in its approach. Finally, on the fourth attempt, the persistence paid off and the jackal managed to grab a dove which it took to the shade and literally swallowed whole. This unusual tactic had an average success rate of one bird in every four attempts. What a rare and fascinating sighting indeed.