[bcbirdclub] Interesting Bird Behavior
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 21:14:43 -0400
Recently, I have seen some bird behavior that was a bit thought provoking.
One of the Bluebird nest boxes I check weekly is here on the mountain at an
intersection. It is on a quiet country road which is a good spot for it.
For the last few years the Bluebirds nest in it first, then a pair of Tree
Swallows nest after the Bluebirds finish.
Each time I check that nestbox the Tree Swallows are perched on powerlines
overhead, and each time they fly down and swoop at me with bills clicking, even
though they aren't using the box at the time. This has happened for at least
the last two years, maybe three. The seem to be guarding the box for their
future nesting.
The second behavioral incident happened this morning. I was in the backyard and
a male Orchard Oriole was singing from the top of a walnut tree. I was looking
up, trying to get a look at it. Suddenly in mid-song it paused, but for only a
second, then continued to sing. I thought that possibly it had seen me and that
it had paused to check me out, but then I saw a Turkey Vulture come skimming
over the top of some nearby pines. Apparently, the sight of the vulture made
him pause just long enough to decide if it was a bird of prey. Within a second
or so, being satisfied that the vulture was no danger, it continued to sing. It
often amazes me how quickly small birds can spot and identify a raptor in the
air, but then I suppose I shouldn't be since their survival depends on that
skill.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
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