I keep nodding my head in affirmation at all the accounts of Blue-jay mimicking various species, something I've also experienced. Now I'm wondering: has anyone ever witnessed a Jay doing so well at this, that it got in trouble by calling in a "targeted" predatory species? Linda Whyte
On Wed, Jan 9, 2013 at 9:23 AM, Frank Gosiak <[email protected]> wrote: > I felt I had to add my two cents worth concerning Mimics. The Blue Jay is > one of the best. For years I have had a pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks living > in the park next to my property. I became very familiar with their call and > actions. One day I was watching my feeders and I heard the familiar sound > of > the Red Shouldered and all the birds scattered out of my feeders. Low and > behold I was surprised to see a Blue Jay come in. The bird figured out how > to scare all the other birds away so he could enjoy the spoils. This has > been going on for many years and I don't know if it is the same bird or if > he passed on his knowledge. Whenever I hear an odd sounding bird noise, or > one that should not be coming from the habitat I live in, I usually suspect > a Jay. If not It is either a Brown Thrasher or Gray Catbird. Between the > three you they can almost copy any noise. I expect one will pick up my > Wife's vocal sounds and then I will really be confused. Beyond this, I wish > I had the ability to pick up bird calls like some people can. The only > birds > I can call in are Barred and Great Horned Owls. I had to back up into the > brush for protection once because I got a Great Horned so riled up that it > came at me. Otherwise, when I try to copy bird sounds I usually scare them > off. > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
