Has Anyone Else Noticed Birds Giving an Alarm Signal?
Feb 14, 2021 18:12:11 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
MadMikeOne wrote:
Same with the crows in our yard. All sorts of hell started breaking loose the other afternoon, and lo and behold - there was a hawk in our side yard.
Thanks MadMikeOne for specific info about crows.
Feb 15, 2021 05:14:03 #
Canada Geese also. In fact, goose hunters will always have a decoy or two with the head elevated as a sentry and the others heads down and feeding.
Feb 15, 2021 05:59:35 #
Bluejays are good for warning others which hunters in my area hate to see . Especially when hunting for deer
Feb 15, 2021 07:26:37 #
Shooter41 wrote:
After photographing Starlings for several months, ... (show quote)
They do more than just sound alarms to their bird friends.
Birds are the sentinels for all animals...meaning all sorts of animals know the system.
Birds see everything...and you are under constant surveillance by them.
They are the KGB of the animal world.
They know exactly what kind of person you are.
You cannot walk down any trail...anywhere...without birds giving notice to animals ahead of your presence.
If they don't see you as a threat...you get to see and experience more.
If they see you as a threat...you will see far less...but never know it.
Feb 15, 2021 08:00:42 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
Canisdirus wrote:
They do more than just sound alarms to their bird ... (show quote)
Dear Canisdirus...Your excellent comments brings up the question, "How do you best help the birds NOT see you as a threat so that you get to see and experience more?" (Do I have to hide in a blind for hours to achieve this?)
Feb 15, 2021 08:30:29 #
As the Coneheads say... maintain low tones.
We are probably the noisiest species on the planet... and I imagine an annoyance to every other species.
Walk slowly and silently. If it is a local area...the birds have already put you in a category...threat or non-threat.
Not local you are just considered a threat...it's our default position in the animal world...and we have earned it with gusto.
You may be a friggin' Doctor Doolittle yourself...but a moron preceded you the day before...and that's all it takes.
They are betting their lives after all...so caution prevails.
Now birds do get to know you personally, but that takes time and effort...consistent effort.
Acts of consistent quiet kindness work best.
If you have pets...the birds note how you treat them.
If you have cats...well..good luck...your road is bumpier.
As for birding...take your time. Spend some time not shooting...just relaxing...don't stare.
Sort of like cats...the more you ignore the subject...the more accepting they are of you.
It takes time.
We are probably the noisiest species on the planet... and I imagine an annoyance to every other species.
Walk slowly and silently. If it is a local area...the birds have already put you in a category...threat or non-threat.
Not local you are just considered a threat...it's our default position in the animal world...and we have earned it with gusto.
You may be a friggin' Doctor Doolittle yourself...but a moron preceded you the day before...and that's all it takes.
They are betting their lives after all...so caution prevails.
Now birds do get to know you personally, but that takes time and effort...consistent effort.
Acts of consistent quiet kindness work best.
If you have pets...the birds note how you treat them.
If you have cats...well..good luck...your road is bumpier.
As for birding...take your time. Spend some time not shooting...just relaxing...don't stare.
Sort of like cats...the more you ignore the subject...the more accepting they are of you.
It takes time.
Feb 15, 2021 08:57:33 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
Canisdirus wrote:
As the Coneheads say... maintain low tones. br We ... (show quote)
Dear Canisdirus...Thank you for letting me understand why the birds in my back yard have gotten to know me. Quiet kindness during the pandemic and snow storm has been my modus operandum. (I have a heater on their bird bath when it is below freezing. I have a contractors utility heater aimed at three of my bird feeders and actually see the birds lean into the heat after they eat. It also gives me additional light for photographs underneath the special opening on the bottom bird feeder for smaller birds to hand upside down where the Starlings can't.)
Feb 15, 2021 09:18:51 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Absolutely! All the time! From quail to finches.
Feb 15, 2021 10:01:06 #
Guyserman
Loc: Benton, AR
We usually have 15 or more birds of all varieties on, under & around two feeders. But let a Blue Jay come near and they all scatter. It must be a bully. Right now it's snowing (rare for our location) and I just counted seven male cardinals. There's probably 50 or more birds there at present.
Feb 15, 2021 11:37:47 #
In my yard I don't hear the warnings so much as I notice the lack of noise around the feeders. When the hawks come circling the birds disperse.
Feb 15, 2021 12:03:36 #
Where I live in central Indiana there is a large lake with a marina. A good-sized gull population (150+) hangs out on the docks and near-dock waters where there are lots of good fishing opportunities. There are typically a few gulls that are about 100 or so yards from the main group, just circling around. There is also a bald eagle's nest about 300 yards from the main group of gulls. When the eagle takes flight the "scouts" give off a cry, and the other gulls immediately take flight like a bomb went off - they scatter in all directions at different altitudes. It took me a while to catch on to this behavior, but now when I see them take flight I immediately look up and can easily spot the eagle that has entered their space.
Feb 15, 2021 14:13:25 #
timcc
Loc: Virginia
We've had a Cooper's hawk visit our backyard on numerous occasions, and usually all the birds and critters scatter in time. A couple days ago, though, a young squirrel did not get the email. He froze on the tree trunk just below the hawk for a tense five minutes, but was saved when two crows started to harass the hawk, which then flew away.
Feb 15, 2021 17:56:06 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
Even by pet parrots are wary of birds of prey. If one is flying overhead they make alarm noises. Both of my parrots were born in captivity. The instinct is nonetheless there.
Feb 15, 2021 18:15:48 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
fetzler wrote:
Even by pet parrots are wary of birds of prey. If one is flying overhead they make alarm noises. Both of my parrots were born in captivity. The instinct is nonetheless there.
Dear fetzler...VERY INTERESTING!!!! You must have grown up in the forest or possibly have been raised by wolves?
Just teasing. I loved your image of the young squirrel on the tree. Thank you.
Feb 15, 2021 18:16:40 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
Shooter41 wrote:
Dear fetzler...VERY INTERESTING!!!! You must have grown up in the forest or possibly have been raised by wolves?
Just teasing. I loved your image of the young squirrel on the tree. Thank you.
Just teasing. I loved your image of the young squirrel on the tree. Thank you.
I love it that the crows aren't afraid to chase the Hawk away. GOOD FOR THEM!
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