FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Birds - Play and Prey

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

July 18-19, 2007
Shelby Co. TN
 
Yesterday, we were trying to get some bird recording for Cornell but the  fog 
and overcast skies shut that down. Later, we were up in the tower at Eagle  
Lake Wildlife Refuge, when I asked Joe if he had ever seen swallows play 
feather  tag. I hustled up a few white feathers and started letting them fly in 
the 
wind  as a few Barn Swallows passed under us. Immediately one bird snatched a 
feather  out of the air and the tag game started. We started with 3 or 4 birds 
but the  excitement brought in more until there were a dozen birds in 
pursuit. In trying  to grab the feather it would be dropped and another bird 
would 
pick it up as it  fell and he or she would become the object of all the others 
attention. The  chase game went on for ten minutes with the birds even flying 
by and between us  as though to show off. You cannot view such antics without 
knowing these birds  are really having fun at this game. I've seen it quite a 
few times but this was  the first time I had instigated the game.
 
Today, while talking to a friend in the Home Depot parking lot in mid-town,  
I noticed two Mississippi Kites swooping around at tree top level over the  
street just to our west. I also noted a Chimney Swift frenetically flying in 
the 
 same air space. I realized the kites were in pursuit of the swift and called 
the  chase to Bert's attention. As we watched, one adult and one immature 
kite were  diving on the swift and swirling almost right over our heads. The 
circles  got tighter and the swift was being cut off at every turn; suddenly 
from 
above  and behind us another adult Mississippi Kite came out of nowhere and 
snatched  the hapless swift out of the air. The three kites circled a few more 
times  with the skilled catcher seemingly showing off the prey and then all 
three  departed back to a tree line to the east.
 
I've seen Mississippi Kites snatch young Black-necked Stilts off the  ground 
at the pits plus mice and lizards from the ground and  trees but this was my 
first for the taking a flying bird, although I've seen  them chase a few 
swallows. Bert then told me he had seen one, years ago, in  the same location, 
take 
a swift and another birder I know had reported that one  took a Cow Bird from 
the ground in their back yard in Little Rock, AR.
 
You just never know what will be revealed when you pay  
attention...................  
Good Birding  !!!

Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6298 Memphis-Arlington Road
Bartlett, TN  38135
http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/
What is this feathered thing that  lifts my heart to the heavens.




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