[birdky] Bird behavior query
- From: rod <rodmanprice@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:36:36 -0700 (PDT)
My previous question regarding why birds fly out in front of my car
generated some well-reasoned hypotheses, a few of which I shared with the list
already. I wanted to share two more.
First, here is part of the response I received from the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology:
"I can't be certain but it seems to me that you're only considering this
situation from the point of view of you and your car. The bird has far many
other things to consider including the possible presence of predators. You
and your car are probably outside its range of perception and definitely way
beyond its experience. I'd be pretty certain that these "accidents" are
really random acts and I know that they happen to other people."
Anne Hobbs
Public Information Specialist
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Second, this one came from Scott in Lexington:
"There is likely some truth to the procrastination theory as well as the
“always flying theory”. Many birds hang on to the last second in hopes that you
aren’t going to get that close. They aren’t that bright, and don’t realize your
inevitable path is the road. It is my thought that the flying across the road
as opposed to away from you is likely a built in response; it is likely a
better escape from flying predators to fly at right angles from their
approach."
Scott
lexington
Scott's seems like the most plausible hypothsesis thus far. Or to put it
another way, it's my favorite. Thank you to everyone who entertained my query.
Happy Spring,
Rod Botkins
Jefferson Co.
Chairman, self-appointed
ABA SQC Committee ;-)
**************************************************************************************
"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities
of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction."
Rachel Carson
stateofthebirds.org
**************************************************************************************
Other related posts:
