[birdky] Re: Bird behavior query
- From: "Andrew Berry" <ABerry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rodmanprice@xxxxxxxxx>, <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:11:00 -0400
I thought about this on the way to work today. From my observations, habitat
structure is responsible for why so many birds are seen on the roadside. The
roadways have good structure for birds, an open expanse of road bordered by
lawn or a ditch, and trees and thickets on either side. Plenty of forage and
cover along the roadways and it's the perfect distance between sides for a
flitter across the road. So they congregate in these areas and forage in the
grass for worms this time of year. Once they're on the roadside and you
drive up I felt like there was a nearly 50/50 chance they'll fly towards
your truck. But that also depends on the structure next to the road. If it
was really thick and close to the roadside, birds flew back across the road.
If it was wide open, they flew away from the road. Each encounter is
different, and so is every bird. With so many birds on the roadside due to
the habitat structure, you end up with quite a few close calls every day.
-Andrew
Andrew Berry- Conservation Information Manager
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
P.O. Box 100
Clermont, KY 40110
Office: (502) 955-8512 ext. 277
Cell: (859) 619-5830
_____
From: birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of rod
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:37 AM
To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [birdky] Bird behavior query
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 ;-)
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"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
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