It is a tough display to capture. I've been trying for years, and the best I have done is a little sequence that was taken through the kitchen window.
I have one shot at https://picasaweb.google.com/101683745969614096883/Fall2012Birds#6012597415846746018, or https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2b8dPBBiozrkTVLgzSaoAdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink. It's a standard aggressive display, taking advantage of the nice black and white markings hidden in the tail and wings. They give it to a number of species that they want to stay away from them, but seem more likely to give it to another nuthatch than other feeder birds in my experience. Best, Kevin -----Original Message----- From: bounce-115419961-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-115419961-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Marie P. Read Sent: Monday, May 12, 2014 1:05 PM To: Karen L Edelstein; CAYUGABIRDS-L; NATURAL-HISTORY-L Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] interesting WB nuthatch behavior I've seen this happening when a nuthatch is approached too closely by another species of bird at a feeder, so a kind of interspecific aggressive display. They also do it as a distraction display, when their nest is threatened by another species of bird or a mammal such as a chipmunk. The various moves and plumage positions (ie fluffed or smooth) during distraction and aggressive displays often make the displaying bird look larger and more threatening itself. Cool observation. I too would love to photograph the behavior, but at feeders it's not necessarily predictable. Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com Author of Sierra Wings: Birds of the Mono Lake Basin Available here: http://marieread.photoshelter.com/gallery/Sierra-Wings-Birds-of-the-Mono-Lake-Basin/G0000NlCxX37uTzE ________________________________________ From: bounce-115418258-5851...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-115418258-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Karen Edelstein [k...@cornell.edu] Sent: Monday, May 12, 2014 12:24 PM To: CAYUGABIRDS-L; NATURAL-HISTORY-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] interesting WB nuthatch behavior Yesterday, in the midst of a flurry of activity at the feeder, with visits from a large flock of goldfinches, several male indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles, and several woodpeckers, I observed a new behavior in a white-breasted nuthatch. The nuthatch was at the tube feeder, and suddenly spread its wings and rotated its entire body about 120 degrees like a pendulum. It then swung upright, and did the same maneuver in the opposite direction, wings widespread. Mating displays of birds of paradise came to mind immediately. This was the only nuthatch in the near vicinity. Thoughts on what was going on? -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Archives: The Mail Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>! -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
