[TN-Bird] 5" of Snow/Feisty Song Sparrows

From: kat92047@xxxxxxx
To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:22:32 -0500
Had a "Feeder Watch" moment when I was watching three Song Sparrows feeding at 
different locations. Two were seated in hanging feeders. Another on the 
snow-covered area beneath the feeders.

Then, from out of a weedy corner of the yard, at least 30 feet away, in came a 
fourth Song Sparrow, getting a bead on one of the sparrows in a hanging feeder.

In the next instant, the two sparrows collided in a puff of feathers. I don't 
know what prompted the attack, but judging by the amount of feathers lost in 
the encounter, it was a serious infraction from the perspective of the sparrows.

I know from observation that Song Sparrows are testy about "personal space," 
but this incident didn't seem to stem from any such violation because the 
attacking sparrow flew such a good distance to take on its fellow sparrow. 

If the objective was to simply drive the sparrow from its feeder, the action 
seemed a bit overkill. And the attacking sparrow didn't stick around to feed.

All in all, an interesting incident.

Other birds at the feeders:
Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Downy Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, 
Dark-eyed Juncos, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted 
Nuthatches. Considering all the snow, I expected White-throated Sparrows, but 
they didn't put in an appearance.

Bryan Stevens,
Hampton, TN
=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
-----------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
          web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
        jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx      (423) 764-3958
=========================================================
[TN-Bird] 5" of Snow/Feisty Song Sparrows

Other related posts:
